HSV 2 IGG Screening Index

check icon Optimal Result: 0 - 0.9 Value.

What is the HSV-2 IgG Screening Index? The HSV-2 IgG Screening Index is a blood test used to detect Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies specific to the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 is a common viral infection that primarily causes genital herpes. This test helps determine if an individual has been exposed to the virus, even if they have never experienced symptoms.

Understanding Your Results The test results are reported as an index value, which falls into one of the following categories:

  • Negative (≤0.90): No detectable HSV-2 IgG antibodies. This suggests no prior exposure to HSV-2.

  • Equivocal (0.91–1.09): The result is inconclusive. Retesting in 4 to 6 weeks is recommended to confirm status.

  • Positive (≥1.10): HSV-2 IgG antibodies are present, indicating past or current infection.

Interpreting Low-Positive Results A low-positive result (1.10–3.50) may sometimes be a false positive. Confirmatory testing, such as a Western Blot or another high-specificity test, is recommended to rule out false positives.

Clinical Significance A positive HSV-2 IgG test does not indicate an active infection but suggests past exposure to the virus. Many individuals with HSV-2 may be asymptomatic carriers, meaning they can still transmit the virus despite the absence of symptoms.

Limitations of the Test

  • The test does not differentiate between a recent or old infection.

  • False positives can occur, especially with index values in the low-positive range.

  • False negatives are possible if the test is conducted too soon after exposure (before antibodies develop, typically within 2–12 weeks post-infection).

Next Steps After a Positive Result If you receive a positive result, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation. Additional testing may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis, and discussions about symptom management and transmission prevention can be explored.

Conclusion The HSV-2 IgG Screening Index is a useful tool for identifying HSV-2 exposure. However, confirmatory testing may be necessary in certain cases to ensure accurate diagnosis. If you have concerns about your test results, follow up with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What does it mean if your HSV 2 IGG Screening Index result is too high?

An elevated HSV-2 IgG Screening Index indicates the presence of antibodies against the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2), meaning that the individual has been exposed to the virus at some point. However, the significance of an elevated result depends on the index value and clinical context.

Possible Meanings of an Elevated HSV-2 IgG Index:

  1. Past Exposure or Infection

    • HSV-2 IgG antibodies develop weeks to months after exposure and persist for life. An elevated result suggests a previous infection, even if symptoms were never noticed.
  2. Asymptomatic Carrier Status

    • Many individuals with HSV-2 never experience symptoms but can still transmit the virus to others. An elevated IgG index confirms exposure but does not necessarily indicate an active outbreak.
  3. Recent or Ongoing Infection

    • While the test does not diagnose an active outbreak, a rising IgG level over time may indicate a recent infection or reactivation.
  4. Reactivation of a Latent Infection

    • HSV-2 remains dormant in nerve cells and can periodically reactivate, sometimes with symptoms (outbreaks) or silently (asymptomatic shedding). A persistently high IgG level may indicate frequent reactivations.
  5. False Positive Result

    • If the index value is in the low-positive range (1.10–3.50), confirmatory testing (e.g., Western Blot) is recommended, as false positives are possible.

Understanding the IgG Index Value:

  • 1.10–3.50 (Low-Positive): May require confirmatory testing to rule out a false positive.
  • 3.51–5.00 (Moderate-Positive): More likely a true positive, but context is important.
  • >5.00 (High-Positive): Strongly indicates past exposure or infection; does not confirm recent infection or outbreaks.

Next Steps After an Elevated Result:

  • Confirmatory Testing: If the result is in the low-positive range, a supplemental test (Western Blot) may be needed.
  • Medical Consultation: A healthcare provider can help interpret the result based on symptoms and risk factors.
  • Partner Testing & Safe Practices: Since HSV-2 can be transmitted even without symptoms, discussing safe sex practices is recommended.
  • Repeat Testing: If recent infection is suspected, retesting after a few months can help track changes in IgG levels.

Key Takeaway:

An elevated HSV-2 IgG index confirms past exposure to HSV-2 but does not indicate the exact timing of infection or whether the virus is currently active. If unsure, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and potential confirmatory testing.

All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.

Laboratories

Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place

We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.

lab corp logo
genova diagnostics logo
quest diagnostics logo
dutch test logo
doctors data logo
vibrant america logo
diagnostic solutions logo
zrt laboratory logo
the great plains laboratory logo
cyrex laboratories logo
spectracell logo

Pricing Table

decoration

Personal plans

$15/ month

Complete Plan

Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track all results with visual tools
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export your full lab history anytime
  • Share results securely with anyone
  • Begin with first report entered
  • Cancel or upgrade anytime

$250/ once

Unlimited Account

Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track all results with visual tools
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export your full lab history anytime
  • Share results securely with anyone
  • Receive 10 reports entered for you
  • Skip the $15/month subscription — no recurring payments ever

$45/ month

Pro Monthly

Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track lab results for multiple clients
  • Customize reference ranges per client
  • Export lab histories and reports
  • Begin with first report entered by us
  • Cancel or upgrade anytime

About membership

What's included in a Healthmatters membership

microscope icon Import Lab Results from Any Source

person icon See Your Health Timeline

book icon Understand What Your Results Mean

textbook icon

textbook icon Visualize Your Results

folder icon

folder icon

card icon Securely Share With Anyone You Trust

Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story

What Healthmatters Members Are Saying

5 stars rating

I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with  any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.

Anthony

Unlimited Plan Member since 2021

5 stars rating

What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!

Karin

Advanced Plan Member since 2020

5 stars rating

As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!

Paul

Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.

  • Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
  • Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.

With a Healthmatters account, you can:

  • Upload lab reports from any lab
  • View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
  • Track trends and monitor changes over time
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export and share your full lab history
  • Access your results anytime, from any device

Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

shield icon

We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

gdpr compliance image hipaa compliance image