Reply from Priority STD TestingJan 21, 2021
Thank you for reaching out to us. This is partially accurate information, however does not account for the type of antibodies being tested for. You are referring to IgM testing which is looking for *active* infections which is useful in diagnosing present symptoms or early infections, which is clearly stated on our website. IgG testing looks for your immune system's antibodies to HSV, which are detectable 4-6 weeks post contact, and would confirm the presence of HSV1 or HSV2. According to our records, the test performed on your lab order was the IgG test, not the IgM test. You can reference this source from the CDC's detailed overview of HSV diagnostic testing using the HerpeSelect test (the test you received) here: https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes-detailed.htm - Our director of patient services will reach out to you privately to discuss your concerns in more detail.
In response: The purpose of our service is to determine the presence of STDs. If you did not wish to take the HSV test, we would have have gladly removed it from your lab order. Asymptomatic HSV is rarely transmitted in the absence of viral shedding (outbreak/symptoms), which do not require treatment. In your order and result email, you were encouraged to contact us so we can thoroughly explain what your results mean in detail, as well as offer you the opportunity to speak with our partner physicians for further clarification. We aren't able to help you if you don't take advantage of the resources you were provided. We do, however, take all feedback as an opportunity to improve our service, and hope to speak with you to answer your questions precisely, as well as hear your suggestions on how to improve our service. Our director of patient services, Luke, will be reaching out to you in the morning. We want to make this right for you, as putting our patients wellbeing above all else is our number one priority.