Positive HSV2 igm, borderline HSV2 igg

[Confused111]

Hi,

I just recently found out that I’m pregnant with my second child, so did the torch test. To my surprise the HSV1 and HSV2 igm came back positive (2.004 and 1.246 respectively). HSV1 igg is negative, but HSV2 igg is borderline (0.802).

Guidance values are Negative <0.8; Borderline >=0.8 to <1.0; and Positive >=1.0. The lab used Elisa method.

Before I was pregnant with my first child I also did a test and HSV1 and HSV2 igm and igg all came back negative. My husband and I have been together for 7 years. I have never been with anyone else since we got together.. And to my knowledge he hasn’t either. He will get his test done tomorrow. Neither of us have had any outbreak both in the mouth area or genital area.

My questions are:
1) could this be a false positive?
2) since my HSV2 igg is “borderline”, how long should I wait until I do a second test? And if the result of the second test is higher, would that confirm that it’s a true positive?
3) if it’s a true positive, what are the chances of me passing this along to the baby? Anything I can do to lessen the risk of passing it along to the baby?
4) is the antiviral medication safe during pregnancy?
5) I read that there are some medication that can affect the test result. What type of medication are there?

Thank you very much!!

[Terri Warren]

1) could this be a false positive?
It isn’t a positive, it is a borderline and is likely negative but I know it must feel somewhat uncertain.
2) since my HSV2 igg is “borderline”, how long should I wait until I do a second test? And if the result of the second test is higher, would that confirm that it’s a true positive?

I’m not clear that waiting is going to make any difference at all if you and your husband have had no other partners at all. Nothing will change here.Waiting is for when you might have a new infection and are in the process of making new antibody. I don’t think you are.

3) if it’s a true positive, what are the chances of me passing this along to the baby? Anything I can do to lessen the risk of passing it along to the baby?

If it becomes a positive, then there are definitely things you can do to reduce the risk of infecting the baby – your OB will direct you on this. But I think you are ahead of yourself here.

4) is the antiviral medication safe during pregnancy?

It is and it is used during the last several weeks of pregnancy to reduce the risk of an outbreak at the time of delivery and potentially reduce the risk to the baby.

5) I read that there are some medication that can affect the test result. What type of medication are there?

If you take antiviral therapy, it can impact the test results IF you are in the process of making new antibody, yes. but again, I don’t think this is the case for you.

If you really want the best and clearest answer, you can obtain a herpes western blot through the University of Washington. Our clinic can order it for you to be drawn at a lab near you if you like or you can contact UW directly.

But really? You are NOT positive.

Terri

[Confused111]

Thank you Terri.

I have 1 more Question please.. Given my test 3 years ago was HSV2 igg negative, but my recent test is HSV2 igg borderline, does it mean anything? Could it mean I contracted the virus recently and my body is developing the antibodies?

Thanks

[Terri Warren]

It COULD mean that but if you have no concerns about your husband very recently having infected you, and it seems like that is really unlikely, then I think the far more likely answer is that you just have a borderline test and it means nothing. Remember – it is NOt positive.

Terri

[Author]

Posts