IGG test 6 weeks post sexual activity... - Herpes Message Board

bh83 · 05-22-2009, 09:06 AM

Ok so, I have HPV and I use aldara. I started to get swelling red spots in the vaginal area. I was convinced I had used too much, and too often, and irritated the area. (it's a side effect listed on the medication). I went to my GYN just as a precaution, and she sent me to get blood work for HSV 1 & 2. She had me tested with IGG and IGM. I got back my IGG tests-negative for both. I am still awaiting my IGM test results.
Did I get tested too early? What if the IGM test comes back positive...what will that mean?
The last sexual contact I had was 6 weeks ago from when I was tested.
I've never had any other symptoms and the spots in question were gone in about 4 or 5 days. No itching, no pussing.
I'm so confused!

Truthseek · 05-22-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bh83

Ok so, I have HPV and I use aldara. I started to get swelling red spots in the vaginal area. I was convinced I had used too much, and too often, and irritated the area. (it's a side effect listed on the medication). I went to my GYN just as a precaution, and she sent me to get blood work for HSV 1 & 2. She had me tested with IGG and IGM. I got back my IGG tests-negative for both. I am still awaiting my IGM test results.
Did I get tested too early? What if the IGM test comes back positive...what will that mean?
The last sexual contact I had was 6 weeks ago from when I was tested.
I've never had any other symptoms and the spots in question were gone in about 4 or 5 days. No itching, no pussing.
I'm so confused!

The IGM test is useless and not recommended for herpes testing as it is not type specific and cross reactive with other virus(i) (sp?) like chicken pox, ebstein bar etc. Your doctor is not up to 'snuff with herpes testing. The IgG blood test is the test recommended by the Center for Disease Control and others. So ignore those IgM tests. Most people will seroconvert (blood produces antibodies) within 12 - 16 weeks (3-4 months) after potential exposure. Do you know the numerical results of your tests? Like HSV1 .53 or HSV2 .8 or whatever they are? Usually if the numbers reflect greater than 3.5 you are pretty much assured to be positive but most doctors will retest in a few weeks/months if between 1 and 3.5.

Six weeks could be too early for you. GENERALLY most people will show positive if infected by 3 - 4 months. There are some on this board that it took OVER 6 months before their tests came up positive.

So if you still having symptoms or want piece of mind I would wait until you hit that 4 month mark after your last sexual encounter and get retested with ONLY the IgG blood test. And remember, that means to get an accurate result you can't have had sex with that partner or anyone else. Otherwise it's like trying to hit a moving target.