What does a positive HSV-1 or HSV 2 IgG result mean?
A positive result means that the patient has an HSV infection. The patient may be experiencing an initial outbreak or a recurrent outbreak from a past infection. Test results may also include the type of HSV identified in the sample.
What is the difference between HSV-1 IgG and HSV 2 IgG?
Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In HSV-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum.
What is the difference between HSV-1 IgG and IgM?
IgG appears soon after infection and stays in the blood for life. IgM is actually the first antibody that appears after infection, but it may disappear thereafter. IgM tests are not recommended because of three serious problems: Many assume that if a test discovers IgM, they have recently acquired herpes.
What is the difference between HSV 2 IgG and IgM?
The IgG test is not the only antibody test used to detect HSV. There’s also an HSV immunoglobulin M (IgM) test that detects IgM. Unlike IgG antibodies that stay in the body for a lifetime, IgM antibodies are short-lasting and can usually only be detected during an active or recent infection.
How long can you have HSV 2 without knowing?
In some cases, a person with herpes may not experience any symptoms of the virus for many years. In other cases, the first symptoms can appear around 2–10 days after a person contracts the virus. The first outbreak of herpes can last for around 2–4 weeks .
Is HSV 2 a big deal?
This points to the medical reality of genital herpes: It is, for the vast majority of people, no big deal. Along with the 11.9 percent with HSV-2, 47.8 percent of Americans in the 14-to-49 age range carry HSV-1, or “oral herpes,” which generally causes cold sores around the mouth but can also cause genital herpes.
Is HSV-1 really that bad?
Herpes isn’t deadly and it usually doesn’t cause any serious health problems. While herpes outbreaks can be annoying and painful, the first flare-up is usually the worst. For many people, outbreaks happen less over time and may eventually stop completely.
Do you need IGM for herpes simplex virus type 1?
Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests. Not recommended for herpes simplex virus (HSV) testing; IgM lacks adequate predictive value for acute infection. If pursuing antibody testing, refer to Herpes Simplex Type 1 and Type 2 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibodies, IgG by CIA ( 0051152 ).
Which is the best test for herpes simplex virus type 1?
If pursuing antibody testing, preferred test is Herpes Simplex Type 1 and Type 2 Glycoprotein G-Specific Antibodies, IgG by CIA ( 0051152 ). If acute HSV infection is suspected, molecular testing is preferred (refer to Herpes Simplex Virus by PCR ( 0060041 )). Unique test identifier.
What’s the difference between IgM and HSV-2?
The main difference between the two is that IgM appears first after the infection but it may disappear with time, while IgG remains in the blood for life. The IgM test can deliver deceptive test results in certain conditions and it cannot distinguish between the HSV-1 and the HSV-2 viruses.
Can a IgG antibody be used to diagnose HSV?
Detection of IgG-class antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) should not be used routinely as the primary means of diagnosing HSV infection.