Are herpes antibody tests accurate?
The IgG test is about 94% accurate in detecting the infection. About 19% of the time, its results are false positive (that is, the test is positive for herpes infection when the person does not have herpes). By contrast, the herpes IgM antibodies tests give almost 50% false-negative results.
Can you have a herpes outbreak but test negative?
A normal (negative) test result does not mean you do not have a herpes infection. If the first test is negative but you have symptoms of herpes, more tests may be done….Results.
| Normal: | Normal results are called negative. |
|---|---|
| Abnormal: | Antibodies to the herpes virus are present in the blood. |
Does having herpes antibodies mean you have herpes?
If your test result is positive, it can mean that you have an active herpes infection without symptoms. It can also mean that you had an HSV infection in the past. The antibody blood test is not as reliable as culturing a sample from a herpes sore.
Do herpes antibodies disappear over time?
It may take between six and eight weeks to detect antibodies in a herpes blood test after first becoming infected with HSV. Also, antibodies may disappear with time, especially if the person has infrequent recurrences of herpes.
Can you have HSV antibodies and not have herpes?
Since the test checks for antibodies to the virus, it can be performed even when the infection isn’t causing a herpes outbreak. If you’ve ever had an HSV infection, you’ll continue to have antibodies to HSV in your blood for the rest of your life, whether you’re having an outbreak or not.
Will I always test positive for herpes?
In a small number of people, HSV antibodies in the blood test will not be present in the usual time period. If one suspects HSV, the test can be repeated in another three months. False negative and positive results are rare.
When do herpes antibodies show up?
IgM antibodies are usually detectable for the initial seven to 10 days after you become infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. For most people, this period coincides with the initial outbreak period of the virus, during which symptoms can be intense and obvious.