What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 6 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 6 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 6 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My hsv igg was over 5..I was tested 25 days after suspected exposure..does this mean I actually may have already had herpes type 2?.. Btw the igm was equivacol..I'm confused

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It indicates past infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic.

HSV 1 or 2 IgM titres increases during acute infection. It reduces once the infection subsides.
IgG indicate past infection.Usually rises after 1-2 weeks of onset of Infection.

It needs to be correlated with the clinical symptoms.
You can get back for any clarification with details of symptoms, site, duration, other relevant history,clear photos of lesions if any.

Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist

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

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 hours later)

Hi,

I did have a mild outbreak and that's why I got tested...
Have you ever seen igg rise to over 5 after just 25 days of exposure?..I am trying to determine if I had this already, before my last exposure. That said, I just recently, after my last exposure, started having symptoms..that's why I'm confused..any further clarification would be helpful. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be >5 .

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

We cannot tell whether it was due to the current or previous episode. Sometimes herpes can be asymptomatic.The titres are higher whenever body is exposed to virus.More Antibodies are produced against virus whenever exposed again.
It can be > 5 by 25 days post exposure.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

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

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (15 hours later)

Ok..thank you for your response. I hope I am understanding, because your first answer to me said "indicates past infection"..To put it simply and clearly, do you think I was hsv 2 positive BEFORE my last exposure, which was 25 days before I got my blood work showing my hsv 2 antibodies were >5. Please respond. Thank you kindly!

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be due to current or past exposure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

HSV IgG Antibodies can be formed by 2 weeks post exposure. So it is difficult to say whether it is due to the current(25 days) or past exposure. It can increase during recurrence too.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar