Confirmation of herpes with blood test.

Hello,

I just wanted to post this for all those questioning there herpes status.  I had a pap smear that came back possible for herpes (I have never had any symptoms of herpes, no lesions to culture etc).  My doctor was suggesting prescribing me valtrex but I didn't want to just go with this as my final diagnosis (because I never had an outbreak to accurately test lesions), so I asked to be tested for type specific IGG blood tests for both type 1 and 2 herpes (after much research on this forum and other boards).  Both results came back negative.  I waited another 20 weeks ( about 5 months) after the first negative blood test to be tested again and they came again back negative.  I have learned that pap smears and the tzanck test are not really reliable, and that you can have a false positive. Please get IGG blood tests done within the correct time frames to confirm your herpes status.  Getting any type of medical test can cause a lot of anxieties just make sure you are getting tested using IGG detecting blood test if you are not showing physical signs of herpes, even if you doctor thinks that you don’t need them demand them or go to another doctor.  You have to be your own advocate!   If you are told via a pap or tznack smear test you have herpes get the blood exam asap to know your status.   Just remember that you have to retest maybe 3-6 months after the first blood test if it comes back negative to confirm you negative status.  I hope this helps.  Anyone that is way more knowledgably than me please add onto this.  Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

if you haven't already, it would be great to journal about your experiences too so folks can see that too :)

grace

[1977andcounting]

Hello Grace,


I wish I did journal all my emotions at the time of testing.  I want others to know that there are those out there who know how they are feeling the frustration and anxiety.  I will journal what I have learned thus far, in hopes I can give others some sort help and peace of mind.  I've learned just because someone might be a doctor doesn't mean they are knowledgable in all aspects of medicine and testing.  I've learned to speak up and ask lots of questions. I want others to do the same.  Thank You.  

[diamond813]

I know exactly what you went through. I have been a nervous wreck worrying about whether or not I have genital herpes. I have had two type specific blood tests for genital herpes which came back negative both times, but I am still worried they could be wrong. My pap smears always come back fine and my doctor cannot see any sores when he examines me. But I still get an uncomfortable burning irritated feeling in my vagina. I am at my wits end worrying about what it could be. My family doctor says I am fine. Should I believe it?

[1977andcounting]

Please believe your results. Worrying will not do you any good, your "symptoms" I believe are (please don't take this the wrong way) mental.  Our mind is very strong; you can actually give yourself symptoms of diseases when you don't even have them. I am not sure if you believe in God or not, but if you do read the bible for peace.  That is what I did.  I take the results as the truth (went through the same thing as you are but have learned to let it go).  Would you take a negative HIV blood test as not true?  Don't "give" yourself something you don't have.  You have to stop worrying.  If you are interested in reading some scriptures on peace please check these out:  2 Timothy 1:7, Numbers 23:19, Philippians 4:6, various Psalms.  There are too many things in this world to focus on, don't let this handicap you by worrying.  Focus on the fact that you are blessed that each time the test were negative, some people aren't so fortunate.  Take care.  Also check out this link by one of the doctors on this site:  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Reliability-of-herpes-pap-smear-test-with-blood-contanimate-/show/249570  It might give you some comfort.