Herpes 1&2 IgM, Recent exposure

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is responsible for several clinically significant human viral diseases, with severity ranging from inapparent to fatal. There are two HSV serotypes that are closely related antigenically. HSV Type 2 is more commonly associated with genital tract and neonatal infections, while HSV Type 1 is more commonly associated with infections of non-genital sites.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a common viral infection. It typically has 2 strains, HSV-1, the oral form which causes “cold sores”, and HSV-2, which is the sexually transmitted strain that causes genital lesions. The importance of getting tested for herpes is that, sometimes, one might not experience any symptoms at all, and therefore, spread the virus without realizing they are infected. This test measures the presence of IgM antibodies against both strains of HSV in the blood. IgM antibodies against HSV are the first antibodies to be produced during the disease duration. They are usually present in the blood for the first few weeks before it eventually drops to undetectable levels, after which, IgG antibodies take over their function. Therefore, IgM is especially useful in determining if there is active disease, since this is the only time there will be HSV IgM antibodies present in the blood.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Fever
• Cold sores
• Genital ulcers/blisters
• Severe persistent headache
• A stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Mental changes
• Lethargy

Also Known As: HSV 1&2