Routine screening blood tests for herpes are not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. When I say routine screening I mean a scenario such as, “I want to get checked for everything, ok?”
Blood tests for herpes do have a place in specific clinical situations, but that’s for another post.
But say you did get a herpes blood test (even though it’s not recommended many people seem to get it done) and it’s positive for something called IgM antibodies. Armed with these results your doctor proceeds to tell you that these results mean you caught herpes recently, so you start to freak out….
Stop right there.
A positive herpes IgM test means nothing. I’ve posted about this before but enough people continue to leave comments on my herpes posts asking about their positive IgM test that it bears repeating…
A herpes IgM test is never, ever, ever indicated. Not ever, because it doesn’t mean much of anything.
“Impossible,” you say. “My doctor ordered it, so it must be a valid test.”
Well, no.
Let’s review antibodies. When we are exposed to infections we make antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that fight bacteria and viruses, hopefully containing these infections. IgM antibodies are made first, within weeks, but they don’t hang around. Think of them as first responders. IgG antibodies take longer to produce, but once present you typically have them for life.
However, with herpes this response system is a little different. The herpes virus is never cleared by the immune system. Once you stop shedding the virus it takes up shop in the nerves (the dorsal root ganglia to be specific). From time to time the virus is reactivated, either producing ulcers or just asymptomatic shedding of the virus. How often the virus is reactivated and how much virus is shed depends on many factors (a topic for another post).
It is this ability to stay dormant and then reactivate that is a defining characteristic of herpes viruses, but this also affects IgM production. When herpes is reactivated, even though it is not a brand new infection, the body often produces IgM. So, the presence of IgM antibodies against herpes don’t tell you if this is a recent infection or a reactivation and so is of no use clinically. In addition, the IgM tests offered by commercial labs have not been well vetted as type specific, meaning they may not reliably distinguish between IgM for herpes type 1 and type 2 (and remember, by the age of 30 almost everyone is positive for heroes type 1).
Just because a lab offers a test doesn’t mean that the test is A) useful for your medical care and B) reliable.
Despite this, many people get tested for herpes IgM.
If you are getting a blood test for herpes, ask your doctor specifically what test that means. If your doctor is ordering an IgM test then go somewhere else, because it means they don’t know enough about herpes to be testing you in the first place.
Remember, this post is not direct medical advice.
Dr. Jen Gunter 
Unfortunately this post is somewhat misleading. If a patient has vulvar or vaginal pain and no history of herpes and comes back HSV2 igg neg but Igg pos you can be reasonably sure it is a newish herpies diagnosis even when you are unable to capture a positive herpes culture or HSV dna
I went to the doctor for weight loss. And the ran a series of tests. They did not inform they were checking for STD. About a week later I got a letter from this doctor with a screening sheet along with a prescription. Which stated I was positive for hsv1&2 I have not had any symptoms and this doctor did not discuss this me before running the test to see if I had any symptoms.
Absolutes are *never* a good type of statement to make. :). Igm is very valuable and indicated in certain circumstances. You declare that igm is 100% useless simply because Herpes can reactivate. Well what if the person has visual symptoms in the genital region and already knows they carry type 1? Now we have a new development at play in the body that is not typical for type 1. And a positive igm at this stage would be a little too coincidental to be a reactivation of type 1. It would be meaningful (even if igm isn’t great at being type specific) to help identify the nature of the genital lesions if the person is unable to get them cultured (which by the way has a significantly high false negative rate!). Granted you can’t be 100% sure by testing igm but in certain circumstances I believe it can help add some pieces to the puzzle. The chances they’ve reactivated oral herpes in the genital region (at the exact same time) the first time they’ve ever had genital sores, is so unlikely that I’d consider a positive igm to be indicative of a primary type 2 infection.
Hello my result herpes simplex virus type 2 IgG…<0.2 herpes simplex virus type 1 IgG…AI 0.3 HSV ,IgM combination 1.19 high what does this result mean thanks
if you were actively presenting symptoms that you were afraid could be herpes would an igm test be useful for that? From what I understand igg antibodies take a while to show up and igm show up quickly. I noticed bumps/blisters and went to my doctor. He ordered both igg and igm. Both were negative. Does that mean it’s definitely negative or is there a chance that the antibodies just aren’t detectable yet?
Hi i was tested positive for antibodies herpes i just wanted to know can i still kiss my daughter and can she drink after me
I went to the gynecologist because I had a strong fishy order down there, never in my life i had experienced that…. i figured since I was already at gyno office why not get tested for all stds….turns out I had a small bacterial vaginitis and was given antibiotics, all tests came back negative but got my VSH 1 results as 5.00 (this i knew 10yrs ago) but my VSH 2 results was 1.10 positive. I’m freaking out here because does this mean I have herpes? I never had and still havent experienced any symptoms or sores…what does my result mean? Other informations say its 3.0 and higher means yes i have herpes..im so confused….and beyond stressed, I can’t stop crying and just wish to die if I have it, I’m only 37 yrs old not married, no children, and only had 3 partners in my life. I call my doctor and they never get back to me, nurse said i have nothing to worry about Im normal, if i am why does it say positive? Maybe my vaginal infection caused it a false positive?..I had a blood test for stds results….. Please someone help me or guide me what i need to do to get an answer, i want a definite answer yes or no and whoever i date i want to be open with them and honest with but i dont know what the results mean.
Hi doctor,
I had a blister in my genital area and a doctor said it was herpes as soon as she saw it. She told me to do a blood test just to make sure, and lab test were for HSV Igg and HSV Igm.
I got my results today which are confusing .. she said that the results show Ig is positive, but the virus is inactive. How is it inactive when I have the blister as a symptom? Doesn’t that mean an outbreak, which means the virus is active? Should I do the test again? or see another doctor? I’m confused, worried, basically freaking out, as HSV is not common in our region.
I recently took 2 courses of antibiotics in less than one month. One was for food poisoning, the 2nd was for the flu, does that affect test results?
Hello Dr.Jen. I am fellow doctor( Surgeon) . Nice article, really informative. Adding up i’d like to ask few things,
How long does it take for IgG antibody positive after the exposure? I recently had outbreak (as dermatologist was 100% sure it was herpes). I tested IgM >1.8 whereas IgG 27) . Myself being a doctor i am a bit feeling shy to check in the same hospital i work. What would you recomend for me , Shall i check again for IgG or wait for more time for accurate results.
Hello,
Thank you for your informative post.
My three month old sons was recently exposed to hsv1 (kiss on the cheeks from someone with active ulcer on lips). I am terrified about the dangers of CNS infection. He is asymptotic at the moment. Would you recommend any antibodies check or wait for the 14 week window and check for IGG?
Thank you in advance
I’m 53 years old, going thru separation and a divorce. My husband is suspect of cheating, I went to Dr for STD test results came back positive for 1 and 2 but I have no cold sores and nothing below the waist, no sores, itching, etc. I tried to look online, very confusing about results. I will get re tested, heading back to the dr soon. I’m wondering if this could be a false positive but unclear as to next step.
I have already done herpes test ( Both type 1 and type 2 ) . I used medicine when there was positive result too. But having several times blood test, sometime it show positive and sometimes negative. I do have symptoms like races over reproductive organ but these races appear badly sometime and sometime they disappear for several months.I am fade up with the treatment. what might be further treatment ?
What does it mean wen hsv 2 igg is positive n igm says not detected?
My doctor seemed to be confused about my results. I had an annual test done with no physical issues, just to be safe. She told me it came back positive for HSV2- this was an Igg test. This was next to impossible since my last test was negative and I was only with one person who swore to me they were negative. I got another test done- this time an Igg, Igm and they also did some sort of type testing. Here is the weird part: the nurse calls me saying I am negative because there are no antibodies for HSV in my system ,”but for some reason my body is producing a protein” that is making it show positive on the test at 1.03 which would be in the Equivocal range.
My question is… what the heck is this weird protein she is talking about and why am I producing it? What could be the causes? She also went on to compare how Lupus patients test positive for syphilis even though they aren’t infected just because of something the Lupus virus causes. This is freaking me out. Any help to figure out about this “protein” because she said ok so you are negative, but come in if you have an outbreak. This makes me still feel like I am in a limbo state.
hi doc…is it possible that im symptomatic for herpes while my husband is not?…i suffered with all the symptoms of herpes (lesions, low grade fever, painful urination, inguinal lumph nodes etc) while my husband does not…we didnt do any lab testings because from where we are working its quite embarassing to submit ourslves for such specific blood works…the nurse side of me kicked in and i non stopped read the net about herpes and even compared the one i have right now from the photos posted on the web and books which are 100 percent identical.
I hope u can reply me. Thank u so much.
Dr. Gunter,
Your article was so informative and I appreciate you posting this. I’m still having an issue trying to figure out a problem that I’m currently in. I would deeply appreciate if you could give me insight and your opinion on this issue.
I recently had went to my PCP. Per personal request, I had an HSV-1 and HSV-2 igG as well as an HSV igM test done. Both of my igG tests came back negative, but my igM test came back positive. My PCP proceeded to tell me I had a recent/acute infection of herpes and prescribed me medication for it. I had been intimate with someone, which at the time was a little over a month ago, and the only activity that happened was kissing/oral sex (male gave it to me) but nothing more than that. The amount of anxiety, confusion, and worry I have is unexplainable. How does one take that news and carry on their day to day routine without having it affect them? I felt like this was the worst news of my life.
Thank you and I hope you can help me.
What does it mean if my chart said +hsv1?
On Aug 28, I was diagnosed with HSV 2. My Igm value came back 2.93 and my Igg value came back .24. From what I have read the Igm value should not be looked at to diagnose HSV 1 or 2, but rather use the Igg value. Here is what the lab report says.
HERPES SIMPLES VIRUS TYPE 2 GSA, IGG BY ELISA
Note: REFERENCE INTERVAL: HSV 2 Ab, IgG (ELISA) 0.89 IV or less …….. Negative – No significant level of detectable IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G. – 0.90 – 1.10 IV ……… Equivocal – Questionable presence of IgG antibody to HSV type 2. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful. – 1.11 IV or greater ….. Positive – IgG antibody to HSV type 2 glycoprotein G detected, which may indicate a current or past HSV infection. – IV=Index Value Rarely, recent primary infection and unusual strains of HSV may result in false negative findings. Responsible Observer: (IF)
My value came back .24 If I am reading this right, does this mean I am negative for HSV 2?
Read more: http://www.healthboards.com/boards/herpes/1009214-hsv2.html#ixzz3nLVIlUSP
Dr. Gunter,
I understand the IgM test is unreliable as far as too many false positives, but what about its false negative rate? i had what seemed to be herpes symptoms a few days after an encounter and i got a IgM test about 2 weeks after that. the IgM cam up negative but should i still be worried?
Thank you!
I m 32 years old my blood test Igm shows result 0.37 and lgG is 1.20 and lesion in between my left hand fingers does I have herpes plz and plz tell me help me
I’m just curious what you think about this. I am a dermatologist and sometimes order HSV IgG/IgM when evaluating a rash like erythema multiforme, which is often linked to recent reactivation of HSV. I don’t care about when the patient was infected or if this is a primary vs. recurrent episode. I just want to know if they have herpes, and if so, if its been recently active. As you know, many people that are HSV seropositive are totally asymptomatic, or may have subclinical disease, and I think the IgM test can be useful to see if they had a recent flare they may have written off to something else (folliculitis in the groin, aphthous ulcer in the mouth etc.)
IgM for HSV cross reacts so you can’t tell if 1 or 2. It is considered an u reliable test and not recommended
but what if I don’t care if its HSV 1 or 2. I just need to know if there’s been viral reactivation recently
This site looks inactive for some time, but I’m going to give this a try… I have a question:
If igG are just antibodies, which are what helps diagnose herps…
Could there be times if one were to suffer from multiple infections. Say BV, candida and YI that it (testing) also picks up herps? Doesn’t all these, also cause igG antibodies to form?
IgG antibodies are infection specific, so you only get IgG antibodies to heroes 1 or 2 if you are exposed to one of those infections
I was tested for herpes.My results said i have herpes antibodies but my ginecology said everything is alright she said i dont have anything base of my % it was 10.30 . it this true.?
Hi Doc- I am so nervous. I went to my doctor last week and he tested me for herpes 1 and herpes 2. He took both an IGm and Igg test. My igm test was 1.1 and igg was 39.5 for Herpes 1. He said because my igm amount was at 1.1 and my Igg was so high, that I was recently infected with herpes 1. ( within the last year) Is that true?
I am still confused about these tests. The more I read the more confused I get!! What does a test value of 5 mean with no symptoms and never any outbreaks?
My partner insisted on being tested for HSV2 despite being asymptomatic and never having been exposed (as far as he is aware). His results are positive (although difficult to interpret). I agree that the test is pointless, but now we are confused about how to deal with this information. How will our lifestyles change? Do we use condoms?
Dear dr. Gunter
I’ve been reading a lot about herpes lately as i was checked for TORCH which includes hsv 1-2. My result turn out to be hsv 2 igm +, igg -.
I haven’t done any sexual activity in the last 2.5 years or so, is it possible that my igm somehow cross-reacted to vzv as i was in a close contact with my brother who recently caught chickenpox? I’ve never had any symptomps of hsv 2 all these years so….i think it is impossible that I caught it years ago (and my igg is – too)
Thank you dr Gunter
An IgM test doesn’t mean anything. It is not interpretable. I know doctors order it and labs run it, but the test is unreliable.
Does HSV-2 positive IGG, and negative HSV IGM mean i am not infectious?
I have been diagnosed with HSV-2 from a positive IGG test.
My doctor got me to do an HSV IGM test, and said that the HSV IGM test is the basis for knowing if the HSV-2 virus is dormant or is active in my body.
So, in other words, his stance is:
HSV-2 IGG Positive = I’m a carrier
HSV IGM Positive = Virus is active, i am infectious
HSV IGM Negative = Virus is inactive, i am not infectious
My IGM came back negative, so according to him, i can have intercourse without being worried about my partner contracting HSV-2.
Is this true? I can’t find any decent source online that backs this up.
I recently had testing where I was hsv1 igg +, hsv2 igg -, & hsv1/2 igm -. I have had sores on my mouth as a kid but recently got freaked out with a sore on my genital area. Was told it was a yeast infection…took meds but the area is still pink and itches on occasion. I’m trying to figure out what these results mean and not freak myself out over something else.
Can you help?
Thanks!
Hi,
I recently went to my OB/GYN due to a itchy sore on one of my labia. I was told it was just a yeast infection and given medication to help clear it up. Area is still pink and itches on occasion so I’m a little concerned about it.
Anyway…I got all my testing done but noticed that I was +hsv1 igg, -hsv2 igg & -hsv 1/2 igm. Now I know I’ve had herpes outbreaks before on my lips & once on my leg (really?!). But I became a little more concerned when I saw that +hsv1 igg and think back to this sore. Everything else came back negative but I’m still concerned.
Is there any way you can help me to figure out what these results mean?
Thanks!
Hi,
I recently got a little nervous when I had an itchy sore on one of my labia. I made my annual appt with my OB/GYN so that I could get it looked at since I pretty much convinced myself I was dying of an std. I was told it was probably a yeast infection and given medication. The sore did clear but the area is still pinkish and still itches at times.
Since it was my annual visit they had me tested for everything and finally my labwork came back. I noticed that I was +hsv1 igg, -hsv2 igg & -hsv 1/2 igm. Now I know I’ve always had herpes break outs on my lips as a kid and once on my leg. However now I’m freaked out that I might have genital herpes or something worse…sigh.
Please help me to interpret these results better because I’m a little nervous now.
Thanks!!
So, where should I go to get a blood test for herpes?
You can get a serum IgG test for herpes from any lab and any doctor can order it. It must be a type specific test (I believe there is a link n the article to the specific brands of tests). When getting tested for herpes it is important to ask yourself how those results will change how you live your life if they are positive and if they are negative.
I given my blood to test for HIV. And second time i given same like that due to fear that time result human immune deficency syndrome 1&2 negative. And i had again doubt also i given third time in that time screening test for 1&2 is negative. Now ibm getting fully itch. now till also iam getting fobia. What i have to do sir. . . . .
I was recently tested for IgG 1 and 2 it came back negative about three days later I got one sore on my private area..I went to my ob dr and he said it was herpes for sure…then he cultured it and sent it to the lab it came back negative then he had me redo the IgG and also the IgM the IgG 1 and 2 came back negative but the IgM came back postive..he said I for sure have herpes 2 I don’t know what to believe…could you please help.Thank. For your time
Hi there , saw you post it back in 2014, i am in a exact same scinerio as you were in. Lesion typical of herpes in my penis. The doctor even told me i don;t need any blood test. On my request had HSV (non specific 1 or2) IgG >0.9 IgM<1.8 .. later tested for HSV 2, both IgG and IgM came negative. But the worst part is my girlfriend came positive for both HSV1&2. How have you been now? Hope you are Hepres free….
Herpes is one of the most popular disease, for some people (including me) trying to talks about herpes requires a lot of things and to be honest, this is my first time reading an article about the IgM blood test. Thanks
I prefer to learn what herpes is and what are herpes symptoms, than doing a blood test.
Can you tell me, what does Herpes II IGG : >200 mean???? plz thanks
I have a question i need help?i went to my doctor back in march and i was tested negative to blood work and swab test i went again last week 6months later my doctor said im tested for negative for everything again but she said im exposed to herpes..iam so confused does that mean i have it?she said no you dont have the virus but you was exposed to it.someone please help 😦
I recently went to the emergency room because my anus had a burning ripping just a very excruciating uncomfortable pain it looked like a rash of some sort I would’ve never guessed the doctor was going to tell me it looks like herpes so he took a blood test and I got the results back the igg test says negative for both types while the igm test say abnormal for both hsv1 and 2 in the same sentence what does that mean. I don’t have a primary doctor nor do I have an appointment to see a doctor for another week I’m so confused and don’t know what to think help me please?
Hi Dr.Jen, I’ve got chicken pox when I was kid. 10 months ago I made hsv 1&2 test and I remember that it IgM, anyhow the result was 1.10 which is borderline. I have no symptoms. could that called false positive or as you said it mentioned to antibodies of varicella zoster. all the best
Hello my result herpes simplex virus type 2 IgG..AI <0.2
Herpes simplex virus type 1 IgG …. AI 0.3
HSV, IgM 1/2 combination 1.19 high
What does this result mean thanks
Hi Jen, thanks for your informative post!
Out of interest, can a viral culture (swab) test detect a subclinical or asymptomatic infection? I recently had a swab test done as a matter of routine at a clinic because I got a scab down there (actually from a sport injury). Here in NZ they seem to test for the sake of testing haha.
If, for example, I were to have an asymptomatic infection would a culture test detect this?
S)
Hi Doc! So its funny I just came across this article, but I just spoke with my doctor about my blood results I recently got back. I found out three years ago that apparently I have herpes, not sure which kind though. My girlfriend at the time both woke up with outbreaks, in complete shock after being intimate the night before. Neither of us has ever had a positive test for HSV at that point, but she did get waxed on her bikini line a couple days before. Could this have been the cause??
Since then we have only had that initial outbreak, never a single one in 3 1/2 years now. I have now been tested at my internist for HSV and first one 3 years ago was negative, not just yesterday he said it was negative as well. How is this possible that I could have two negative HSV tests but still had that initial outbreak, that was tested by a dermatologist and deemed positive from a culture. Who is correct here? I would think the blood test would be the most accurate no? Appreciate your guidance.
Sounds like the culture was wrong. Both of you waking up with it sounds like ‘road rash’.
So far as I know, I do not have Herpes 1 or 2. When I get into a new a relationship, is there a test that I can use to definitively tell my new partner I don’t have the virus? This is the main reason I’ve heard of people getting the IgM test – to prove you are negative. Am I correct in taking away from this that there is never a way to be sure until you actually see lesions?
A question if one has Hsv 2 and the other partner that don’t have it, and do oral sex to the one that has the Hsv 2 can the partner that don’t have herpes get it?
Reblogged this on EVERYONE HAS HERPES! and commented:
Just in time for me to start blogging here, one of my favorite doctor-bloggers posts about herpes! It’s a brief but informative discussion of why the herpes IgM test is a meaningless test, and you shouldn’t get it. She also links to previous herpes posts, which you should check out if you still have herpes questions or if you want to hear the info from an actual doctor.
But the presence of IgM antibodies does mean the person ‘has’ HSV1 and/or HSV2 correct? This means something. This person can now pass it to another person via viral shedding. They might not even know if they have it orally or in their genitals, but why would it be better not to know? A positive IgM test means you have Herpes Simplex in some form either recently acquired or in the past, correct or incorrect? Oral and Genital Herpes both have their unique challenges in terms of living though genital does have the bigger stigma. One part of lowering the stigma associated with genital herpes is to make more people aware of the great prevelance of HSV in our population.
No, IgM does not mean that you have herpes in some form. A positive test could be herpes 1 (which everyone has), herpes 2, or it could be cross reaction with another herpes virus, such as CMV (which a lot of people have) or varicella zoster (which almost everyone has).
Doing a test that can’t possible give you an accurate answer does not help raise awareness, it causes fear and confusion and should not be ordered.
I understand, Thanks Dr. Gunter. That is a clearly different story. There are accurate blood tests that can identify HSV1 / HSV2 status like igG, I see no reason why this should not be offered instead of IgM, it is more important I would think to know your status that when you acquired the infection. I believe *sometimes* there are other ways to suspect if it is a new infection, such as high fever along with lesions and new sexual partner, but in the end if you have it you can spread it whether you are asymptomatic or not. Most people think that when they are tested ‘clean’ for ‘everything’ that includes HSV which unfortunately contributes to the anti-HSV stigma.
I really appreciate your post clarifying the Igm test.
Each year (for the past 5 years) I am tested for STD’s as part of my physical. My doctor always orders a panel from the hospital that include an igg and igm test.
On 3 occasions, the igm test came back positive with 1.6, 1.3 and 1.2 values. Over 5 years the igg test for type 1 & 2 always came back negative with a value of <0.91.
So I have always been skeptical of why this igm test is ordered. If I initially tested igm positive 5 years ago (and 2 subsequent times), but never seroconverted to igg antibodies then something must be cross reacting on the test.
Would you agree?
Thank you so much for the informative article. A lot of confusing information out there regarding testing.
Question: Given the issues with blood testing, what is one’s course of action if they have been exposed to HSV-2 and are symptomatic with no external sores, lesions or blisters for swabbing? What testing should be performed?
So if someone a
Has ebv, which is a type of herpes …they can test postitive in a hsv1/2 igm test ? Im confused my doctor said if u test positive in a igm test but test negative in a igg type specific that just means u have just gotten exposed to hsv and that there and anti bodied and in due time u will be able to find out what kind of type specific herpes you have …i got tested positive for ebv and hsv1/2 but negative for a type specific hsv for both… what does this mean
Thank you for your post. All my tests for herpes came back negative EXCEPT for the IGM. I was diagnosed with herpes from a dr but then got a second opinion and got more tests. I am getting re tested in 3 months to see if my IGG becomes positive.. I hate how I have to wait 3 months I am freaking out. I have had mono twice and was very sick from it and was in the hospital.. do you think the mono could influence my IGM?
As the medical director at SexualHealth.com, we get many inquiries about herpes IgM testing. I couldn’t agree with your post more Dr. Jen. I don’t fault primary care providers for not knowing that herpes IgM testing is worthless because its the exception to the rule when it comes to early infections and IgM. In addition to teaching people not to get IgM testing, I also like to remind people that they can have type 2 herpes for years, even decades, without knowing it and without having a visible outbreak. Don’t break up with your partner over a new herpes diagnosis, because you assume that partner is cheating on you. Your current partner may not be the person who exposed you to herpes. Lastly, keep it in perspective. Its a drag to find out you have herpes, but it is a bother more than a medical concern and you shouldn’t allow it to ruin your life. Herpes does not define who you are. Nice, clean, smart and monogamous people can have herpes. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. There is a wonderful book written by a nurse out in Seattle, Terri Warren. Its called The Good News About The Bad News. I recommend it to all of my patients with herpes.
So helpful, this post and the comments by professionals! Thank you. I was given the result “you’ve been recently exposed to HSV-2” by a doctor who was too nervous and embarrassed to explain what test he performed on me (as part of a general panel) and why the results suggested that I’d been recently exposed. I was so frustrated, and confronted my monogamous partner of three years over it. Got a second opinion from another doctor who was too embarrassed to talk about how HSV-1 and 2 can appear anywhere through any kind of skin contact, so that was no help. So confused that I thought maybe I’d caught it from a steam room.
On a side note, sometimes it helps remove stigma to explain that HSV is basically a very contagious skin disease.
my doc stated i was positive yesterday by blood test. results were 9.10%. i have no outbreaks never have. nor does my partner. i asked for my normal std checks and all were negative minus herpes. im losin my mind and dont know where to start and what to do. please help. ihavent talked to my partner for again no signs of it. i have a sinus infection and laryngitis and when i went to be seen for that i asked her to just do the testing as part of my normal check up. she callled me back yesterday with this news and i havent been myself since
sounds like you didn’t read the article
I work in a setting where I see A LOT of young adults who want the blood testing done for HSV without any symptoms, as if it’s part of a physical exam. It takes me FOREVER to counsel them about why they want it, what causes them to think it’d be helpful, or what they think it means. THANK YOU for this.