What would this score on the herpes test tell you? 10 points best answer?!
Question: What would this score on the herpes test tell you? 10 points best answer?
HSV, IgM I/II Combination
Result:
1.17
Flag:
High
The doctor said he's not positive if it is or not but he's 5 points off from being positive. What does this mean?
Answers:
Personally, it would not matter WHAT the test said. Why? Because the IgM is NOT type specific, meaning it does not tell you WHICH "type" of the herpes virus you are infected with--HSV-1 (oral herpes) OR HSV-2 (genital herpes). And since about 80% of the population tests positive for HSV-1 (cold sores), the IgM is NOT giving you any info in regard to STD status.
Further, the IgM is positively NOTORIOUS for giving both false negative and false positive herpes test results. It also has a problem with confusing chickenpox, mono, and Epstein-Barr antibodies as herpes--and it is NOT recommended as a diagnostic tool for that reason.
Ask your doctor to retest you using the IgG type-specific herpes blood test--or go to a clinic in your area for one. (If you ask for an STD test, it will NOT automatically be included--you MUST ask for the test!)
The IgG is the one recommended for detecting herpes because it is "type specific," meaning it will tell you whether you have HSV-1 OR HSV-2--and will give you numbers for both of them. IF you are infected, you will show antibodies for herpes 2 weeks-4 months following exposure to the virus. Because some people take longer to develop antibodies than others, in general a test taken 3 months AFTER exposure to the virus is reliable.
Of course, if you have an outbreak, then the easiest way to test is a viral culture of the sore--taken 24-48 hours of the sore appearing. That is the FASTEST way to get a diagnosis!
For info on testing, check out the Herpes Handbook link I'm enclosing--it's NOT spam, it's free, and pay particular attention to the symptoms/diagnosis/TESTING part of the manual!
http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_h…