IgM and IgG Question

[subontnik999]

I had IgM tests at 4 days and 8 days after the possible exposure and was negative for each (<.91).  I was also negative on an IgG test two months later.  

Combined, is that enough that I can be safe not getting further testing?  I have heard contrary things about the time frames and reliability.  I do have HSV-1 if that makes a difference.

Thanks everyone.  I've have been extremely worried the past months and would love to get this behind me, but I want to be sure.  

[gracefromHHP]

this doesn't sound like herpes going on.

grace

[subontnik999]

I guess one more question:

3) Does anyone know what would cause this?  Thanks.

The painful spot is very localized and specific, if that is important.

[subontnik999]

So, now I am worried that I am in the small group of people that is not positive until 6+ months.

I just finished a huge project for work and have only slept 2-3 hours a night for the past week, then drank a LOT of alcohol the last two nights to celebrate.  Basically, my immune system took a hit.

Now I have a sort of pulsing pain on the side of my shaft, it hurts for a second or two about once a minute.  It has done this for a day or so.

1) Is this a typical prodrome symptom?
2) Is is likely that I could have an outbreak almost five months after the initial exposure when I have had no obvious symptoms before this?  Especially when my immune system was compromised to this degree?

Thank you.  I have had trouble finding reliable information on this topic.  

[gracefromHHP]

they are more accurate for hsv2 than for hsv1.  

whatever went on with your prior partner they need to follow up on. if it's hsv2, it didn't come from you.

[subontnik999]

Thanks Grace.

Are the failure numbers the same for HSV-2 tests?  That is what I am really concerned about since I may have all ready relied to my (and someone else's) detriment on a false negative.  Thanks again.

To recap - IgM Neg at 4 and 8 days.  IgG HSV-2 neg at 1,8, and 16 weeks.  But the symptoms of my later partner worry me a lot.  

[gracefromHHP]

even the best blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. If you know you had cold sores in the past, assume you are hsv1+ regardless of your blood test results.

[subontnik999]

Sorry - to clarify slightly, I was told the antibody levels can vary so much that sometimes you will be positive and sometimes you will be negative.  I have never heard that anywhere else and was wondering if anyone else had.  Thanks.

[subontnik999]

At four months I was negative for both HSV 1 & 2 on the IgG test, but that is confusing me.

I was a low positive for HSV 1 in the initial testing (1.04), but I remember having oral cold sores in high school (quite a while ago) so that did not surprise me.  But now that I was negative for HSV 1 on this IgG I am wondering how reliable these tests actually are.

I went through LabCorp, who stated they test each sample at two different labs to verify results.  When I asked about the negative HSV-1 test, I was told the antibodies level varies due to the immune systems variations, stress, etc.  

1) Does anyone know if that is true?
2) If the antibody levels vary, how can I know I don't have HSV-2 (the reasons I am worried are stated below, I initially put them in a second thread, sorry for the protocol mishap.)

I gave and received unprotected oral from someone about three months ago and had some itching/tingling but no sores or anything (although it may just have been psychosomatic/guilt).  After I got some negative tests and thought I was okay (the testing agency insisted I was negative and there was no point in further testing, but most of the tests were IgM, I had a negative IgG at 8 weeks but only for HSV-2) I thought I was in the clear.

I later had intercourse with a female, who sometime later had a small but very painful spot urinating for a couple of days (although she shaved just before that and it could have just been a small cut in an unfortunate spot).  But I care about this person deeply and would feel terrible if I gave her something.

Also - For a new fact the possible exposure partner got tested and was a low positive for HSV-2 (1.30).

Thanks.  This forum has been very informative and helpful.

[petal130]

Yes, listen to grace. The IGM is pretty much worthless in general in diagnosing herpes.

There are no statistics for oral transmission. But I can tell you my own experience: it took 5 years or very regular oral sex for my partner to transmit it to me.

[subontnik999]

Thanks.  Is the IgM worthless then, even after 8 days?  I had some itching afterward, but it may just have been an allergic reaction to a new detergent I started that day.  

Does anyone know the odds of passing the virus from one session of oral (both ways)?  Partner had no visible symptoms.

[gracefromHHP]

odds are you didn't contract herpes. it's up to you if you want to pursue any further testing. if you do, only get the igg test and wait until 4 months post encounter.

grace

[yi3o8]

Generally 2 months would be enough time for the igg, but 3 would be even better. If you have no symptoms then it may be enough for you to stop worrying that your body has let an infection take hold.

Worrying is hard to get over sometimes, but you seem to care about your health and if I had to guess you would notice if something was wrong. Just wait a bit and get retested with a type specific igg but in the meantime assume that you're ok.

[subontnik999]

I know the IgM can't differentiate the types, often has false positives, etc. But are there high rates of false negatives? Even after a week for the antibodies to build?

[jelyse]

igm is useless. two months is too soon to have an accurate result. it has to be after 3 months using an igg blood test.