Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Well I can understand why the lab results were confusing. I'll try to provide a bit of explanation to help here.

Your blood test showed elevated immunoglobin G (IgG) but normal immunoglobin M (IgM). Immunoglobins are antibodies to things like viruses, which is what herpes is. When a herpes infection starts, the first antibody to increase is M, which goes up about a week or week and a half after being infected with herpes. So IgM is associated with just getting the infection. Then G goes up and stays up while M goes away. After this, G stays up, pretty much forever.

So the blood test, which, keep in mind, is not always accurate, shows that you have HSV 2, and have had it for awhile.

It also doesn't show how you got it: you can get HSV2 genitally or orally, although most often it is from genital exposure.

It is better to test by sampling the mouth, skin, or genitals, when there are sores than a blood test, though.

I'm sorry I can't say whether the tingling you are experiencing right now is from an outbreak that is about to happen. If you do start to show any signs of herpes (the penis becomes tender or painful, reddish, blisters) then get to your doctor ASAP (or an urgent care clinic) to get an antiviral medication as the sooner it's started, the better. Sometimes tingling is the first sign of a herpes outbreak, but tingling can happen for other more innocuous reasons too.

IgM sometimes goes up during outbreaks that are not the initial infection, but it can be variable - sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, and it can be delayed. So it isn't a good way to tell if you are getting an outbreak. IgM is only useful in identifying that an infection is new.

If the blood test was accurate, you do have HSV 2 from a past exposure and are at risk of outbreaks, although not everyone with HSV gets them.

As I mentioned, the blood test isn't always accurate. False-positive results can and do occur. Repeat testing, or testing by a different method, may be needed.

So this is what I would do:
1. If the tingling turns into pain, redness, or blisters, get yourself to a dr. that can have a look and prescribe you an antiviral pronto.
2. Consider having the test redone by another method (I can't tell when the test was done or by what method. There are different blood tests for herpes.) This will help you to know if you are "clean". If, again, you have elevated/positive IgG to HSV2, you do have HSV2.
3. If you get blisters, get them swabbed to confirm.

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Brief Answer:
Your welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome - glad if the information can help.

Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD

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Brief Answer:
I only see the original attachment

Detailed Answer:
Hi - I looked at these labs when I provided the answer above. I don't seen any new attachments. Is there something additional for me to see?

Thanks

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