HSV-2 diagnostic, false positive?

Question

I have never had (or never noticed) physical signs of genital herpes unless a possible ingrown hair would indicate herpes, but never a blister and nothing ever lasted more than a couple days
I dont recall ever having cold sores as a child but i assumed HSV-1 would be positive due to the high prevalence

I receive a phone call from the urgent care clinic. He said I was positive for both HSV's I asked to have the results sent to me so i could have a hand copy for various reasons.

Through research online of HSV blood samples and I came to the conclusion though they are a great in conjunction with symptoms but they do pose the possibility of error.

Today; I received the hand copy of the results and was confused to the reading of the IgM screening because from my understanding this test is unable to determine whether it is HSV-1 or HSV-2 the results read as;

HSV 1-2 IgG & IgM antibodies
HSV 1 IGM - NEGATIVE
HSV 2 IGM - POSITIVE

HSV 2 IgM Ab Titer 1:20 AB <1:20 (what does this mean?)

HSV 1 IgG antibodies >5.00 H <.90
HSV-2 IgG antibodies .16 <.90

Index Values for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies
<.90 Negative
.90-1.10 Euivocal
>1.10 positive

So should I assume that the IGM test was a false positive for HSV-2 being that i have had chicken pox before and the fact I am HSV-1 positive for the antibodies both which can cause cross re activity for the IgM test. Along with having extremely low HSV-2 IgG antibodies. ".16 compared to positive being >1.10. or should i assume ive been infected resently

Answer

When an individual contracts herpes, the immune system responds by developing antibodies to fight the virus: IgG and IgM. Blood tests can look for and detect these antibodies, as the virus itself is not in blood. IgG appears soon after infection and stays in the blood for life. IgM is actually the first antibody that appears after infection, but it may disappear thereafter.

IgM tests are not recommended because they are inaccurate and misleading.

The accurate herpes blood tests detect IgG antibodies. The problem with this type of test is that it can take a variable amount of time for IgG antibodies to reach detectable levels. For one person, it could take just a few weeks, while it could take a few months for another. So even with the accurate tests, a person could receive a false negative if the test is taken too soon after contracting the virus. For the most accurate test result, it is recommended to wait 12 – 16 weeks from the last possible date of exposure before getting an accurate, type-specific blood test in order to allow enough time for antibodies to reach detectable levels.

The titer value you ask about is the concentration or amount of IgG antibody detected in your blood.
A positive IgG to herpes does not tell you when you acquired the infection, just that at some point you did. Most people who are diagnosed will not be able to determine how long they have had the infection.

For more clarification over your results talk with your doctor

HSV-2 diagnostic, false positive?

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