[Question #8751] HSV-2 timing of exposure & titer #
 |
40 months ago
|
Ms Warren: I was diagnosed with HSV-2 on Mar 28, igm was negative & igg was positive #8 in system for 2os or longer - No sex for the last 11 yrs until Dec 18 w/current partner. I have had no symptoms at all until now. Is it possible that I contacted the virus 3 mos ago but just had an outbreak now ? I thinking that the igm might be negative b/c the test was taken 6 days after outbreak & it s/b taken between 10-21 days. If the igg antibodies starting developing Dec 18, would that titer # peak at 9-10 wks & that's why it's high ? Thank you, Patricia
 |
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
40 months ago
|
If you are saying that the index value of your antibody test was 8.0, then we cannot know when you were infected. So were you diagnosed with the blood test only or did you have an actual outbreak that was swab tested positive for HSV 2?
The IgM is unreliable both as an indicator of new infection if positive or lack thereof if negative. The CDC says never to use it. So whoever ordered it, made an error. Please don't conclude anything from the lack of IgM
However, it is certainly possible that you were infected in December or years before that. It just isn't possible to know at this point. It is not unusually high.
Terri
--- |
40 months ago
|
Yes, had swab & blood test, both were hsv-2 positive. I read that the CDC says that the lower index #'s mean infection has been there awhile b/c over the years the antibodies decrease & the higher number occurs with an initial outbreak b/c antibodies develop after exposure from 2 weeks and plateau at 9 weeks - is this true ? My igg test said positive 8 high. But I read the #6-16 is moderate. Which is correct?
|
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
40 months ago
|
The combination confirms that you are indeed infected with HSV 2. If we only had the blood antibody test, I would not be as clear but with both positive, you are infected and potentially infectious to others. When someone is first infected, their number are lower and climb with longer infection.
Terri
--- |
40 months ago
|
Yes, I indeed have HSV-2. But can I reach an 8 index value in 3 months? What # is considered high ? Could I have been exposed 3 months ago but just now have an outbreak ? Do you know if red light therapy actually works on HSV-2 ? What about homeopathic medicines for HSV-2 ?
|
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
40 months ago
|
Yes, you could reach an index value of 8 in 3 months.
You could have been infected 3 months ago and now had your first recognized outbreak, yes.
There is no good scientific evidence that red light therapy is help full with herpes, that I am aware of nor I am aware of any homeopathic that has been studied and found to be helpful with a double blind placebo controlled studies.
Terri
---