Contradictory igg igm herpes test results

by Carole
(Houston, TX, USA)

Because I am a responsible (and somewhat paranoid) individual, I get tested for STDs every 3 to 6months

3 weeks ago I got tested and here are the results for standard Elisa HSV test

HSV 2 IGG type specific AB 1.12
(limit for positive is 1.10 so I have a low positive result for genital herpes, right?)

Because of the low positive Igg result, I got tested for Igm 2 weeks ago and got the results today

HSV IGM AB SCREEN DETECTED
HSV IGM AB TITER < 10 so "not detected"

So the screen detected herpes antibodies but the "TITER" confirmatory method did not detect any, because of that confusion, my doctor had me get blood drawn again today, so what do I do? Do I wait for the results from today's blood sample before I do anything?

Answer
I'm almost certainly you do not have herpes. As the Elisa IgG IgM test is highly unreliable and probably was falsely positive.

Ignore the IgM result, as for now there are no reliable type-specific IgM HSV antibody tests.

However if your doctor has the ability to perform a spinal tap then ask for the spinal PCR DNA test for herpes simplex instead.

Sadly, in some countries the PCR DNA test is not routinely available to the clinician in the office at this time.