IgM reliability vs IgG and retesting

[J17S5489]

I noticed some bumps in my genital area. Was told it was 100% molluscum possibly contracted from the gym. I got tested immediately and had an IgM come back positive at 2.74. It had been 2 months since my last partner. I took an IgG a week later and it came back negative. Molliscum symptoms started to dissipate over many months. Started 500mg per day Valtrex regularly. 7 months later I took another IgG and the results were negative. No real symptoms or bad itching. Sometimes I scratched at the molluscum and have some instances that I tell myself could be a small outbreak but they never really seem like the real deal as described. Those instances could have been me scratching in my sleep to hard, scratching the last remnants of molliscum bumps, or ingrown hairs possibly. I’ve had a partner whom I’ve had regular unprotected sex with, they got tested and are negative as well. Should I get retested again? Trust the last IgG? Would my 500mg Valtrex curb the IgG results? Just wish I knew a definite truth. I’ve read the IgM isn’t necessarily the final word in testing. Thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Terri Warren]

The IGM test is just awful – the CDC says not to use it to try to diagnose herpes. Molluscum and herpes look nothing alike so I think that I would trust the molluscum diagnosis. While it is possible that you taking Valtrex could interfere with the IgG, yes, you had two months to become positive for HSV after your last contact before you started taking the medication and you did not seroconvert. It’s a problem when people take herpes medicine without a diagnosis for this reason. I understand why you might have wanted to do that with a positive IgM but it does confuse the issue a bit.

Terri

[J17S5489]

Stopped taking the medication for 2 weeks and then had another IgM and IgG done. IgM came back low positive again at 1.18. IgG was negative. Never have had a positive IgG result out of 3 separate IgG tests. This latest round of testing occurred one year after initial low positive IgM result that caused all this testing. Still have never had clear cut symptoms of an outbreak. Thoughts?

[Terri Warren]

My thoughts are that you don’t have herpes based on the accurate test. I think I mentioned that the IgM is awful, right? Look at all the problems this has caused for you. I hope you will never have another one done!
Please pay attention only to the IgG results

Terri

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