herpes testing

[Iamaidoit]

Hi All,

I had sex with CSW 6 months before, i tested for STD's for multiple times in past 6 months and all of them were negative. but my recent HSV IGM tests came back in Border Line (0.88)

Actually i have taken 3 HSV tests as follows,

1. 12th week : Type specific test
--------------------
HSV1 IGG - Negative
HSV1 IGM - Negative

HSV2 IGG - Negative
HSV2 IGM - Negative

2. 24th Week : Non type specific test
--------------------
HSV1 and 2 IGG - Negative
HSV1 and 2 IGM - Negative

3. 180 days : Non specific test
----------------------------------------------
HSV1 and 2 IGG - Negative
HSV1 and 2 IGM - 0.88 (BORDER LINE)

1. Am i really infected with herpes, because for past 6 months, IGG results are still negative. theoretically IGG should be positive by 16th week at maximum. is it possible that IGG would have not been positive for 6 months after exposure.

2. Should i need to repeat the IGG or IGM testing again?

[feelingundone]

Your very welcome

[feelingundone]

The igm is absolutely worthless. I just reread your post and the fact that it's the igm test that's equivocal means nothing. I'm your Dr should not be giving you that test. You absolutely have nothing to worry about and no expert recommends the igm test because they are unreliable. Plus igm tests are given right after exposure not 6 months later. You are hsv free and do not worry further. Also don't retest. It's worthless and the igg at your time frame is accurate and conclusive.

[Iamaidoit]

Thanks a lot...... actually I got my results back today for type specific hsv 1 and 2 (igg and Igm). all of them were negative and this test was taken after 26 weeks of exposure....... as you advised, I should stop testing...... thanks a lot for your help and kind words.....

[SecondChance23]

the igg tests doctors offers are only 50% correct lol. i was diagnosed with HSV2 with 1.25 an 1.29, but negative when I did sent in a western blot to the University of Washington.

[Iamaidoit]

do you mean Igg or IGM? because my igg values are still negative after 6 months of exposure, but in my last test which I took at 180th day after exposure, only the IGM value came as borderline(0.88).

[feelingundone]

Don't feel bad. This happens. I had a false positive. It happens and your equivocal is not even in the positive range. Don't worry.

[Iamaidoit]

Thanks for your advice, i really fell bad why i tested last time, because my doctor never prescribed me this, he asked me to do only one test at 90 day. But when i met my doctor again yesterday, he asked me to run again since its borderline. it was my curiosity to do after 180 days, this made me to feel worse now.

[feelingundone]

That's the problem with hsv testing the more you test the more you run the risk of a false positive or equivocal result. Again, don't stress.

[feelingundone]

It's not that it is or is not a false report. How the test works is it looks for antibodies that your body builds to keep the virus in check. Hsv2 tests are very sensitive and can pick up other thingside like odd proteins. This is common.
That's why any numeric value under a 3.5 needs confirmation testing.
If this equivocal result (still not positive by the way) really bothers you then wait a week and take another. When that one comes back negative then let it all go. You have already over tested. I am very confident you do not have hsv.

[Iamaidoit]

Thanks let me check again a type specific test and see how this goes......... but it's really frustrating that a test comes with equivocal after 6 months exposure.........

[Iamaidoit]

Hi,

Do you think its a false report? and from your knowledge/experience is it possible that IGG is negative (for 6 months), but a person can be infected with HSV.

Thanks

[feelingundone]

That is most assuredly deviation in the test. The more tests you take the greater your chances for a false positive or equivocal result. Your fine