I had some bumps in June and went to get them checked, and the doctor said they were not herpes, and they went away. Last week I noticed some new bumps so I went to the doctor and she sent me for a blood test for HSV 1 and 2. The blood test came back positive for both 1 and 2, i had IGG but not IGM antibodies. I showed the doctor my bumps i have now and he says they are just ingrown hairs. He also told me that my results do not indicate that I have the actual virus, just the antibodies for it. He stated that i had been exposed to it in the past, but i do not have the virus now. His response didnt really make sense, and he didnt prescribe any medication to me. Im very confused as to whether or not i have herpes as the websites i looked at are unclear as well. Do i have herpes or not?
You need a new doctor.
Its shocking how many doctors know nothing about HSV.
So, your results mean you were likely exposed over 4 months ago although it could be less. IGG tests for the antibodies, like he said, and it will only show up positive if your body carries the virus, and has for a long enough period of time to have enough antibodies for a positive. It can not test for a live virus because the virus lays in the nervous system, and not in the blood (or any bodily fluids)
IGM is only accurate if its newly aquired (and even then its unreliable at best).
Once you have HSV, its always there. Whether you have symptoms or not, and quite frankly your doctors an idiot.
Some people have HSV for years and dont know, because they have no symptoms, but are still carrying it and transmit the virus (call asymptomatic shedding, which happens without knowing).
Whether youve had symptoms or not, if your IGM (most reliable besides swabs) is positive, you have HSV and will until you die.
You may have had it for years and the person who gave it to you, may not even know they have it since it’s not tested for on routine STD panels.
All that to say, you need a new doctor, and you are HSV1 and HSV2 positive.
That being said, either type can be genital or oral.
If youve ever had a cold sore, you have HSV oral (which can be type 1 or 2) and if you think youve had an outbreak (which it sounds likely), you could have HSV1 and/or HSV2 genitally.
Type does not dictate location!