Will IgM become positive during a herpes recurrence?

Under normal circumstances, IgM may become positive during herpes recurrence. If herpes occurs, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

During herpes recurrence, IgM antibody test results may turn positive. Herpes viruses, such as herpes simplex virus, once infect the human body, remain latent within nerve cells and are difficult to eliminate completely. When the body's immunity decreases or is affected by external stimuli, the virus may reactivate, leading to recurrent herpes outbreaks. During viral reactivation, the immune system is stimulated again, triggering an immune response. IgM antibodies are a type of immunoglobulin produced by the human immune system during initial infection or recurrent infection. When the herpes virus reactivates, the immune system recognizes the virus and produces corresponding IgM antibodies to combat it. Therefore, during a herpes recurrence, testing for IgM antibodies in the blood may show a positive result.

If diagnosed with herpes, patients can follow their doctor's instructions to use medications such as penciclovir gel, acyclovir cream, or recombinant human interferon α2b for injection. In daily life, patients should also maintain healthy habits and avoid staying up late, which helps prevent herpes recurrence.