I had no symptoms, then why did my blood test show antibodies for HSV-1 and 2?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern regarding the presence of HSV (herpes simplex virus) antibodies. Infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 are common viral infections affecting people throughout the world. HSV-1 is acquired during childhood and it occurs associated with congenital diseases causing oro-labial manifestations while HSV-2 is related to the urogenital disease. There are two possible antibodies that your body can make against HSV-1 and HSV-2.

They are IgM (immunoglobulin M) and IgG (immunoglobulin G) after having the infection. IgM is the first antibody made and it represents a current or acute infection. IgG is made after the production of the IgM antibody and it presents in your bloodstream for the rest of your life. Getting a negative result is considered normal. This means that you have never contracted an HSV infection. Your body takes several weeks to develop IgG antibodies to HSV. It takes up to two to three weeks.

A positive result for HSV1 and HSV2 indicates that you have contracted the virus at some other point. In your case, you have got a herpes infection in the form of shingles and so you got a positive result. When a serum antibody test is recommended for HSV, IgG detection is preferred. This remains positive in your remaining life. This indicates your immunity against the virus. CDC (Center for disease control and prevention) recommends herpes testing only for people showing symptoms of herpes. As you do not have an infection, then you do not require repeat testing.