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What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?
Question: Hi I have been tested for herpes blood and urine test! The results came back like the following
Immunology
Herpes simplix antibodies
HSV 1 igg *55.2
HSV 2 igg < 0.500
Comment: serological evidence of hsv infection at some time
Negative <0.9 index
Equivocal 0.1 - 1.1 index
Positive > 1.1 index
Please note that methodology change
When i called the nurse she said i have been inficted in the past! I ask her does that mean i have herpes she said no!
So i am confused now if i have herpes or not. Accourding to this result do u think i have herpes or not?
Thank you
Immunology
Herpes simplix antibodies
HSV 1 igg *55.2
HSV 2 igg < 0.500
Comment: serological evidence of hsv infection at some time
Negative <0.9 index
Equivocal 0.1 - 1.1 index
Positive > 1.1 index
Please note that methodology change
When i called the nurse she said i have been inficted in the past! I ask her does that mean i have herpes she said no!
So i am confused now if i have herpes or not. Accourding to this result do u think i have herpes or not?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
There is a possibility that you got infected by herpes 1 virus in the past
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. There are two main types of antibodies generated in response to an infection, IgG and IgM.
2. IgG antibodies are increased due to past infection.
3. IgM antibodies are increased in recent infection.
4. If IgM antibodies are there then it shows a recent infection irrespective of the presence of IgG antibodies.
5. If IgG antibodies are there in the absence of IgM antibodies then there is a possibility of infection in the past.
6. Since you have not mentioned IgM antibodies test I guess that it is normal in your case.
7. Since your IgG HSV1 is positive therefore you might have got herpes 1 infection months to years back. Many people in the population have a similar finding. The herpes 1 infection is dormant in you. The HSV1 might not cause symptoms in every person who is infected. However rashes might appear when your immunity gets weak or you are having stress. If rashes appear then please consult your doctor and take anti viral medicine to suppress the rashes. Please use condoms when having sex with multiple partners.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
There is a possibility that you got infected by herpes 1 virus in the past
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. There are two main types of antibodies generated in response to an infection, IgG and IgM.
2. IgG antibodies are increased due to past infection.
3. IgM antibodies are increased in recent infection.
4. If IgM antibodies are there then it shows a recent infection irrespective of the presence of IgG antibodies.
5. If IgG antibodies are there in the absence of IgM antibodies then there is a possibility of infection in the past.
6. Since you have not mentioned IgM antibodies test I guess that it is normal in your case.
7. Since your IgG HSV1 is positive therefore you might have got herpes 1 infection months to years back. Many people in the population have a similar finding. The herpes 1 infection is dormant in you. The HSV1 might not cause symptoms in every person who is infected. However rashes might appear when your immunity gets weak or you are having stress. If rashes appear then please consult your doctor and take anti viral medicine to suppress the rashes. Please use condoms when having sex with multiple partners.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
When I have asked the nurse do i have herpes she said no! But she said u might had the infection in the past! Also she said its inactive! Do I understand now that I have herpes? Also will i infect my sexual partner or not if the herpes inactive?
Brief Answer:
Several points to be considered for active infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. There are many points to be considered before making a diagnosis of HSV1.
2. HSV1 is oral herpes and in your case, there is a possibility that you might have got infected in childhood. The virus is inactive now and the possibility of transmission is low.
3. The nurse meant to say the above adding that there is no serious concern right now if there are no rashes in your mouth or genitals. Though HSV1 is oral herpes, there are people who might get HSV1 infection in genital region.
4. It is less likely that you will pass on infection to your partner in the absence of rashes. If there are rashes then chance of infection transmission exists. Using condoms is for your own safety.
5. If you have possible symptoms of herpes then please get tested again after 3 weeks and get higher tests done like rapid PCR test. The IgG test does not confirm your infection status.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Several points to be considered for active infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. There are many points to be considered before making a diagnosis of HSV1.
2. HSV1 is oral herpes and in your case, there is a possibility that you might have got infected in childhood. The virus is inactive now and the possibility of transmission is low.
3. The nurse meant to say the above adding that there is no serious concern right now if there are no rashes in your mouth or genitals. Though HSV1 is oral herpes, there are people who might get HSV1 infection in genital region.
4. It is less likely that you will pass on infection to your partner in the absence of rashes. If there are rashes then chance of infection transmission exists. Using condoms is for your own safety.
5. If you have possible symptoms of herpes then please get tested again after 3 weeks and get higher tests done like rapid PCR test. The IgG test does not confirm your infection status.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So do i considered to be infected or not? Also is the test stating me positive or negative?
So from the results i showed above does it mean i am infected with hav 1 or not?
Also as the reslt shows a very high number which is 55.2 when the range of positive Must be only above 1.1! Does this mean that im extremely high in viruses?
So from the results i showed above does it mean i am infected with hav 1 or not?
Also as the reslt shows a very high number which is 55.2 when the range of positive Must be only above 1.1! Does this mean that im extremely high in viruses?
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. You have been infected possibly years back and more testing like PCR DNA might be done to know the real status about HSV1 infection in you. Your report is positive for antibodies to HSV1. This means that your body is generating IgG antibodies. IgG antibodies are usually linked to a remote infection. Therefore the IgG test report HSV1 is positive in you.
2. The above shows that HSV1 infection was introduced in to your system in the past. It means that the HSV1 virus entered your body possibly months to years back and might be even during childhood.
3. This test does not show the viral load or the number of viruses in your system. It shows that your immunity is still active against HSV1 infection which was introduced in the past.
4. I know it is confusing to you, therefore to know the real situation about HSV1, a PCR test is suggesteed. The PCR test makes multiple copies of the virus from the specimen and then amplifies the DNA to confirm infection. Many times you immune system might be active but the viruses in you might be low and not likely to infect another person.
5. My suggestion to you is not to worry about the HSV1 IgG positive test if you do not have clinical symptoms suspicious for herpes infection. Many people have high IgG in the absenceof active infection.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. You have been infected possibly years back and more testing like PCR DNA might be done to know the real status about HSV1 infection in you. Your report is positive for antibodies to HSV1. This means that your body is generating IgG antibodies. IgG antibodies are usually linked to a remote infection. Therefore the IgG test report HSV1 is positive in you.
2. The above shows that HSV1 infection was introduced in to your system in the past. It means that the HSV1 virus entered your body possibly months to years back and might be even during childhood.
3. This test does not show the viral load or the number of viruses in your system. It shows that your immunity is still active against HSV1 infection which was introduced in the past.
4. I know it is confusing to you, therefore to know the real situation about HSV1, a PCR test is suggesteed. The PCR test makes multiple copies of the virus from the specimen and then amplifies the DNA to confirm infection. Many times you immune system might be active but the viruses in you might be low and not likely to infect another person.
5. My suggestion to you is not to worry about the HSV1 IgG positive test if you do not have clinical symptoms suspicious for herpes infection. Many people have high IgG in the absenceof active infection.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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