herpes testing

[tropps88]

I had protected oral and vaginal sex with a prostitute on march 16.  The next day I had swollen lymph nodes (thought it was just allergies at the time), and about a week later I had a very sore throat, and came down with stomach pains (no nausea, vomiting or fever that i know of) for about a week. at the 2 week mark, i got a bunch of tiny under-the-skin purple dots which turned into a slightly raised red patch on my penis glans, and i had a couple doctors look at it and they could tell if it was herpes or not for sure. It stayed raised for about 2 days and then healed to a about 13 or so tiny 1mm scabs (I never saw noticeable blisters)  I had a bout of psoriasis or eczema at about the same time, so im not sure if the penis symptoms were part of it. anyways ive had a lot of input on this , but i have some basic questions about testing.  I took the Igg and 2 Igm tests (one type specific and one not).  All came back negative except for the non type specific IgM, which came back as 1.16.  

The lady at aboutmyhealth.com told me that I most probably acquired herpes, but the infectious disease doctor at my dads hospital said that the IgM cross reacts with everything from viruses to bacterial infections, and is a very non specific test.  I have read the posts on here, and the doctor here said that the test is unreliable due to its "chemistry."  I know i simply need to take the Igg in 2 more months, but Im really curious to know the truth about this test.  I heard that it definitely does from a very well respected infectious disease person, and on the other hand that it doesnt on here.  What exactly do you mean when you say that "the chemistry" of the test makes for false positives?   Also, the lady who had me take the tests said I can retake the Igm tests in a week or so, because she believes the non specific one will go up, and the type specific one will start to show as positive. Does this make sense? thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Sorry, I've not been here for a few day as our clinic just started running a huge new herpes study and I've been working like a crazy person.  

The IgM test has many false positives and most professionals in the field of infectious disease recommend that it never be used in adults.  The only reason it is still on the market is because it may be useful in neonates for sorting out new infections.  

Your most recent results are not definitive, but good news, nonetheless.  I would still recommend that you get another test 4 months out from your experience.  I don't like the sound of 13 scabs on your penis.  What you might call "scabs" other might call something else, so its hard to say.

Terri

[tropps88]

got the results for the IgG/IgM 1 and 2 type specific tests today and they were all negative. this is after 37 days. does this tell me anything legitimate. i dont think its a guarantee of anything, but shouldnt IgM show up by now? thanks

[tropps88]

hello?

[tropps88]

also, the infectious disease doctor said that although a culture or the IgG is best, that the IgM part of the elisa IgG/IgM that I had done is a lot more accurate than the combination IgM, and still used by doctors. Is this true? Since I clearly did not have herpes in the past, i figure it would be useful information should I retake the type specific IgM and it came back positive, which I assume after about a month it would.