False positives/negatives - herpes

[PrettyWorried123]

Morning,
I wonder if someone could give me some advice.

Back in June I was tested for a number of things (general check up) and the IgG test came back positive for HSV1. I had never had any symptoms until this time nor ANY possible exposures.

Soon after this I had a broken condom incident with a CSW. At three months I was tested for HIV and it was negative. At 12.5 weeks I was tested again for HSV 1 and 2 and both came back negative.

I have had a few spots at the base of my penis and after intercourse small red patch on the head of my penis since the condom incident (months later). I also have a very small lymph node in my left groin.

After getting a positive then a negative result I'm unsure what to make of it?

Any suggestions?
Thanks

[feelingundone]

Yes, trust the negative. Anything less than a 3.5 is suspect for a false positive. The fact your next test was negative confirms this. I also had a low false pisitive for hsv1 at a 1.3. This is pretty common. Please move forward without concern

[PrettyWorried123]

Thanks for the response. My last and final concern was could it be that I tested too soon after the possible exposure? I have read somewhere that they recommend 16 weeks and my test was at 12.5

[feelingundone]

What was the numeric value of the positive hsv1 test? You can rest easy as your hsv2 was negative. You can really rule out hsv1 from this encounter. Even if she had hsv1 genitally it is extremely rare to contract it thorough intercourse.

[PrettyWorried123]

Hi there.
The Hsv1 test (first time- done in Panama, Central America) was positive with a reading of 1.22. Second time round, done in the UK at 12.5 weeks after possible exposure was 0.256.

Im just a little confused and not sure what to think as I've now had a positive and a negative? But from your comment it seems HSV2 is the worse one that I don't want. Can I trust the negative or do you think I should Test again?  

Thanks for your time.