What does a negative igm herpes blood test result mean?

by Timothy
(Jacksonville, FL, US)

I just got back my results and the doctor told me that it shows up negative but it say that I've been previously exposed to herpes in the past but it was not acute at the time of the test? What does this all mean do i have it or not?

Answer

An IgM result alone is pretty useless for the most part. You should probably wait a little while and try the IgG...it is much more accurate. However, you cant be 100% sure about your IgG test until 6 months has passed. This is how long it can take for your body to build up the antibodies which the test detects.

As for now, be happy about your IgM negative result, a negative is surely better then a positive. But to be sure, you should definitely wait a little while and get the IgG.

I you were recently infected I suggest that you contact your most recent partner and have him/her tested for herpes as well. You could re-test in a few months for mental security you know? In this case I would think a negative is indeed a positive thing!

Other diagnostic tests:

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are very sensitive tests (meaning they are very good at detecting the virus if it is present). While PCR testing is likely to replace the viral culture in the future, PCR are not as readily available as culture at many sites and there are no commercially available kits at this time.