Does suppressive therapy cause false negatives?

[WonderingSoul616]

I have severe atrophic vaginitis and a history of genital ulceration with odd tingly-burny-itchies for many years. Despite this, I have had a positive test for HSV-2 (2004), followed by a negative western blot about 6+/- mths after my only possible exposure, and at least one additional negative HerpeSelect almost 3 years later.

My testing history: 
- Neg type-specific tests thru Quest up to 2002 (vulvodynia since age 18) 
- Neg Western Blot in Fall 2003 due to worsening vulvodynia & addition of ulcers & fissures 
- One-off encounter with unfaithful ex in January 2004 
- Neg HsV1/ POS HSV2 (test type unknown, results reported only as "Negative" and "Positive" with no numeric values) March 2004 
- Neg Western Blot for type 1&2 between late July-Aug (can't find paperwork with exact dates, but was done at least 20 wks out) 2004 
- Neg ELISA (Quest Diagnostics) 2.5 years later with pregnancy (Nov 2006) 


I have always questioned the reliability of these results, as I took antivirals (Famvir & Valtrex) during the window after my initial positive test, and still used them occasionally with my vaginal fissures & ulcers (neither that or zovirax cream does a thing for the ulcerations!). 

Could the antivirals hve "fooled" the 6-mth Western Blot?
Could my 3 year out Herpeselect have been negative due to precautionary antiviral use (yes, I was paranoid!) during my pregnancy?

I am TERRIFIED there is some way I could actually be HSV2+ (seeing as I did have a pos test 8 yrs ago), but after all this time, could use some closure or professional insight one way or another?

I truly appreciate any expert advice anyone can offer here. Thank You!

[gracefromHHP]

let's keep this all in your original post -thanks!

[bobrope45]

evolve=involve, my bad

[bobrope45]

Do you still experience the ulcers from time to time? If you do, don't waste more money on blood work - go and get them swabbed within 48h of their appearance. This way you can have a definite answer. Your doctor should've done that already.

About your blood testing results, suppressive therapy might mess up with results, yes. But I guess all studies on such phenomenon evolve people who took it since the very first start of their infection, which doesn't seem to be your case (your only started taking it after your positive result).

Grace will better advise you on that, but I guess it would be ideal to stop medication to allow an accurate swab result as well. If you're on antivirals, even the swab will be compromised.

Besides, you don't even know if this is herpes going on...no reason yet to be on suppressive therapy.