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What Do The Following Test Reports Suggest?

Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015

Question: Hi, I recently had sexual activity and got a herpes outbreak 2 days after. The outbreak was severe and lasted 3 weeks. I've never had an outbreak before. I had a culture and tested positive for HSV 2.
The IgG for Herpes Simplex 1 0.95
Herpes Simplex 2 0.13
IgM Herpes Simplex 0.08
Can you tell me judging from the IgG and IgM what this means? Do I have Herpes Simplex 1?
Is this a first time infection for Herpes Simplex 2?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection has resolved

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Any infection in the body leads to the production of IgM antibodies immediately after infection which disappear after few months, and later on IgG antibodies are formed which remain there in the body for lifetime after infection.
Since you had herpes infection recently, IgM antibodies would have formed in the body, which are now decreasing in level as the infection has subsided. IgG antibodies have also formed, and will remain there throughout lifetime even after infection has subsided.
The IgM values are quite low indicating that the herpes simplex infection has resolved in your case, and no more harbour any active herpes simplex infection.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Hello,

I had the culture and the blood test at the same time and that was when I was having an outbreak. The IgM levels were at 0.08 for Herpes 2. What does that mean during an outbreak? Also the IgG level for Herpes 2 was 0.13. What does that mean during an outbreak?
The IgG levels for Herpes 1 were 0.95. What does that mean during an outbreak?
Please be specific. Do the levels indicate that this was my first outbreak for Herpes 2?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, thanks for responding.
IgM level 0.08 of HSV 2 during an outbreak indicates the antibodies are developing in the body against the current infection.
IgG level of 0.14 of HSV 2 during an outbreak mostly indicates that you had an exposure of HSV 2 in the past also, which caused these antibodies to be present in the body. It is not possible for these antibodies develop so quickly in first outbreak.
IgG level of 0.95 of HSV 1 is due to past exposure of herpes simplex1 in the past.
Subclinical exposure of these virus do not cause clinical disease, but do develop antibodies in the body. This means you have first clinical outbreak, but you had exposure of these virus in the past also.
Hope you found the answer helpful .
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

That was helpful.
If it was my first clinical outbreak, does that mean my partner exposed me again to the virus or is it possible to have an outbreak because of past exposure?

Thanks for your help.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely a new infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I am happy to have helped you.
It can be a fresh infection or a resurgence of old infection. It can be confirmed only by analysis of the virus.
However, since you had active infection with lesions, it is most likely to be a new infection.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (31 minutes later)

Thank you! Very helpful!

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Always there to help you

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I am always there to help you with your health related issues.
You can get back to me for further queries by asking a direct question to me on health care magic portal.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (2 days later)

Hi, thank you. Just one more thing: Are you saying that with a resurgence it is unlikely that I would get a 3 week long outbreak with lesions and active infection? Is it possible to get an active outbreak with lesions for 3 weeks with a resurgence?

Thanks for your help.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Likely a new infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, herpes lesions in resurgence of herpes infections usually heal in maximum 7-10 days. So, a 3 week long outbreak with lesions is likely to be a new infection.
Hope you found the answer helpful .
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (58 minutes later)

Thanks again!

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nice to help you

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, it's nice to help you.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar