Question:
I've read that IGM is not a good indicator of Herpes because it can give false positives. I have tested positive for IgM but negative for IgG. I asked my doctor about the false positives associated with the IgM, and she said that the IgM test they used (from Labcorp) tests for IgM antibodies specific for herpes and that she is positive that i have recently been exposed to herpes (even though my IgG test was negative).

The lab report refers to the IgM test as:
HSV, IgM I/II Combination

i didnt know there was a specific IgM test for herpes? is this true?

Answer:
There is are 2 types of blood tests that can be done for herpes
IgG: has the ability to differentiate between type 1 (oral) and type 2 (genital)--you may get a false negative due to timing of the test...if you test before you sero-convert and produce the antibodies, the test may be negative.
IgM: usually detects recent infection...the drawback to this test is that it does not differentiate between type 1 and type 2. If the test is positive, you can be positive for oral herpes only, or genital herpes only, or both.
Positive IgM and negative IgG usually means that you have recently been exposed to one or both types but have not sero-converted yet.
Positive IgM and IgG: usually means that although you have recently been exposed to one or both types, you were already positive
Negative IgM and positive IgG: usually means you have been exposed
> 2-3 months ago
Herpes culture: high rate of false negative due to timing. Lesion must be cultured while the virus is shedding, which can sometimes be early in the outbreak

Answer:
hey, I was reading in on this post.. I have done a lot of research about IgG and IgM tests. My guess is that you have recently contracted the virus. And there is no specific test for IgM.

A quick question for tgrobar75, you posted when the possible times for contracting this virus if your Igm is positive and your Igg is negative, so on and so forth........but what if both your Igg and Igm are negative? I got tested two weeks ago and both blood tests came back negative BUT my culture came back positive? If you or anyone has any idea pleaseee let me know!