What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Herpes Simplex?

Posted on Tue, 5 Apr 2016

Question: My hsv igg was over 5..I was tested 25 days after suspected exposure..does this mean I actually may have already had herpes type 2?.. Btw the igm was equivacol..I'm confused

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you do have HSV, but most probably from past exposure

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Your report indicates that you have in fact got HSV from past exposure. The IgM value is raised during an active acute phase of the infection and it being equivocal here indicates no active/acute infection; whereas IgG is raised, indicating a past infection.

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you.

Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)

Ok, I did have a mild outbreak and that's why I got tested, but with the igg so high so quickly, after just 25 days, makes me think I must have had hsv 2 from a prior infection (not 25 days ago)..have you seen an igg so high after just 25 days?..thank you for your kind response

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it is most probably from previous exposure and not the recent one

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.

The high IgG would have been from an older exposure as I've mentioned in my previous response. It is indeed from past exposure and not the more recent one.

An IgG like yours is most probably from a past infection, and is not likely due to the more recent exposure.

I hope this answers your question, please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee