Here's what it means...

Sorry I'm a little slow at answering here. Haven't dropped in for a while.

Your medical provider is entirely wrong about the exposed statement. If you have the antibodies that the IgG test detects, you have the virus somewhere in your system. Being exposed does not produce antibodies, but having the virus does. The IgG test was the correct one for this situation. It's quite accurate and sensitive.

The patient should, ideally, wait 12 to 16 week after possible infection to take the IgG test in order to insure that there has been sufficient time for detectable antibodies to appear.

The IgM test was useless and not appropriate for adults due to its cross reactivity between the two types.

I am angered and disappointed at the level of ignorance displayed by so many doctors and nurses regarding herpes. Honest, it's not really that complicated. There are some very good CME courses that only require a couple hours at the most to take online that cover the diagnosis and treatment of herpes simplex and the medical people get credit for taking them.

You mentioned not having had any symptoms.. About 90% of infected people don't have any symptoms so that's not an indication of not having the virus. Only good diagnostic testing can do that.

For some more good information see the Westover Heights free Herpes Handbook at http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook.html