How to interpret my results and the next step?

[Shane]

This is my first time joining a forum to ask for help. I have obsessively researched herpes and everything pertaining until I feel like I have driven myself insane, as I’m sure most of you have. With that being said here is my story.

 

I am a 25yr old male who at the beginning of December had a sexual encounter with someone who proceeded to tell me they were hsv-1 positive in their genitals afterwards. I honestly have been wreckless hardly ever using protection and this time was not any different (poor choice on my part). Of course I went to my doctor afterwards and had blood work done. This was 4 days after the sexual encounter that it was performed.

 

An igm blood test was done and the results were 1.51, I was then diagnosed with herpes.

 

After researching I have discovered how flawed this test is and the possibilities of false positives. How probable is this?

 

1) I am wondering how I should interpret this test and should further testing be done?

2) Was that an adequate amount of time for antibodies to develop resulting in a positive test? I have not had any physical symptoms although I felt like I had pain in my hips, however I also workout religiously and could have been paranoid.

After I received my results I talked to my parents who are both positive for hsv-1 as well.

 

I am unsure whether I could have a false positive. Or if I contracted it from my parents growing up, I would be shocked if I got it after a one night stand but I know this is possible.

 

One last thing, does anyone have information following vaccines? I have read as much as I can into theravax and other vaccines but reliable information can be hard to find.

 

I apologize about all the questions. My doctor has been unavailable to talk to and I have been trying to process all this.

Thank you all for your time.

[HikingGirl]

You should totally disregard the results of an IgM test. I would go back to your doctor and ask for an IgG test (or find a new doctor). Everyone produces antibodies at different rates, but by the time you get to 16 weeks post exposure, 97% of those with the virus will test positive. At six weeks, only 70% of those with the virus will test positive. So you should wait a while before retesting.

 

Also, be aware that the blood tests miss a significant number of HSV1 infections. I forget the statistic, but it was a chunk.

 

Keep in mind the blood tests won’t tell you where someone has the virus. Most adults already have oral HSV1, and few of them have symptoms, so a positive blood test wouldn’t mean you necessarily had the virus genitally.

 

If you’re not having any symptoms, I wouldn’t lose a lot of sleep over this. Retest at 16 weeks and be aware of the risks going forward. Condoms lower risk of transmission, but they don’t eliminate it. I got HSV and my previous partners before marriage always used condoms. At the same time, transmission is not a given. I have both HSV1 and HSV2 and yet my ex husband of 15 years didn’t get either (we didn’t use condoms and I was diagnosed after the divorce). Good luck.