False Positive?

[Anonymous15]

Tested in November for HSV2 and it came back negative. IgG was at 0.12 (negative < 0.90)

Tested again in July and it came back positive. IgG was at 0.14.

Had my doctor redoing the bloodwork and went to an independent lab to take an IgG test instead of HSV2 IGM ABS [IFA] like my doc is doing. From what I hear they are extremely unreliable. Please review pictures below of the test results. Thank you

[Terri Warren]

What was positive was the IgM, not the reliable IgG test. The IgM is often falsely positive – in fact, I have never seen a positive IgM later confirm with a positive IgG antibody test. Have you had sex partners in the past 4 months before the test? it is best to wait 4 months from sex to testing. If it has been four months, then I would certainly believe the HSV 2 IgG that says you are negative.

Terri

[Anonymous15]

I have been in a monogamous relationship since late March.

[Terri Warren]

If your partner is negative by IgG for HSV 2 and neither of you have had other partners, then you can rely on these results. Why are you being tested for herpes?

terri

[Anonymous15]

I went to the doctor for my regular STD testing. Nothing caused me to go. No symptoms. He did bloodwork and urine testing on everything. Even other health related things like Diabetes etc.

[Anonymous15]

What could cause the igm level to be tested as “Detected”? What other reasons would your body produce these antibodies?

[Terri Warren]

People produce IgM antibody with recurrences and in between pretty regularly. But if a person is uninfected, this test often gives false positive results – we don’t know why that is but when we see a positive IgM result and the person does not test positive by IgG 4 months after their last sexual encounter with someone who might be HSV 2 positive, then we believe that the IgM is a false positive. That is why I asked you about your last sexual encounter. If your partner has had no other partners and neither have you in the past four months and your partner is negative, then I conclude that the IgM is a false positive.

This is your final post on this subscription.

Terri

[Anonymous15]

Starting 3 weeks ago I felt two quick sharp instances of pain beneath the head of my penis. Followed by a weird tingly/slightly itchy feeling on the tip of my penis. Two days ago my scrotum broke out in what appears to be a rash. There’s no blisters or pain. Has been slightly burning and itchy also. Will attach a pic for you to see

[Anonymous15]

It’s not letting me attach a picture. Can you provide me with an email to send to?

[Terri Warren]

I’m sorry, we don’t allow picture to be posted on this site. Evaluating pictures comes too close to practicing medicine over the internet, something I will not do. If you have a new rash, I think you should have it evaluated by a clinician anyway. If there are no blisters and no pain, it is less likely to be genital herpes.

terri

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