How can I be negative if he is positive?

[noonespecial719]

I had gave a man unprotected oral sex.  A few weeks later, I got my first ever cold sore.  I assumed it was a result of the experience with him.  Two months later, he had unprotected anal sex with me.  I was tested and tested negative for any STDs, which has left me confused.  If he is positive for herpes, how did I test negative?  And if I have gotten cold sores, how did I test negative?  Can he be positive yet somehow not pass it on to me?  Is oral herpes not detected in the STD tests?  

[slacker101]

Define your idea of what a cold sore is.

[gracefromHHP]

Even the best herpes tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections.  It's hard to tell at this point if you actually have hsv1 and just haven't seroconverted yet for it to be picked up on the blood test, if it's been missed completely by the blood test or if you never even had hsv1 in the first place. Should you get a return of oral symptoms - see your doctor for a culture and typing.

grace

[waringblender]

Attributing a cold sore you acquired 2 weeks after exposure to a B.J. isn't causative. It's possible you've been infected for a while with type 1 before the B.J. guy.

[girlygirl87]

how long after your last exposure/symptoms did you get tested for herpes? was it a blood test?

the thing is, a blood test can take up to 3 months after exposure to turn positive even if you are infected