Is 13 week blood test enough to detect herpes?

I received a blood test for Herpes at 13 weeks after protected sexual intercourse and it came back negative for both Herpes 1 and 2.  I have read many places that it can take up to 16 weeks to detect it.  It has been 5 months now and I recently have found a couple of small blisters down there but they don't hurt.  I have always understood that if you have blisters from Herpes, you would notice them because they painful.  I also have had a dull achy feeling on both sides of my groin now for a few months.  The feeling is off and on throughout the day but like I said has lasted now for almost 3 months.  So my questions are:

-Is 13 weeks enough for an accurate herpes test?
-Would pain in my groin be a result of herpes or possibly another STD?  I have been tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hep, Herpes, Chlymydia and Ghonorrea at 13 weeks, all coming back negative. So I am more concerned about HIV due to the long window period and Herpes because of the 16 week window period and the possible inaccuracy of a blood test.  
-Although I was protected, I shaved earlier that day and am afraid the minor cuts/razor burn could have increased my chances of getting infected that way.
-Could the achy feeling in the groin be anxiety related?

I had very high anxiety the 1st few months before all these tests, and so I have been feeling a lot better, this feeling just isn't going away.  Please help me in answering my questions so I can be at ease once and for all.

[Healthadvisory]

Anxiety is a big cause of symptoms.

Anxiety can cause you to have aches and pains throughout your body, inluding your groion area.


this is not the HIV forum but you dont have Hiv.


Herpes testing times is 3-4 months , herpes tests are not the most reliable of tests,

I would go see a dermatologist for your bumps, it may be your anxiety. you also shaved it cold be razor bumps or inflamed hair follicles.

STD will not likely be the cause.

[Jim3535]

I thank you for your quick response!

I heard the herpes testing these days are a lot more accurate, something like 96% accurate.  And is it true that if you had it, you would know?  I never got any blisters or anything until just last week.  It has been over 5 months now.  And there are only 2 of them and they seem more like pimples, and they don't itch or hurt.  

And finally, would herpes cause these other issue, like the groin pain?  I had some pain at the tip of my penis for the first few months, but now not so much.  My doctor said it could be a case of non-bacterial prostatitis, but the timing of it all just seems crazy to me.  
  

[Mistakeguy789]

I don't agree with Healthadvisory on a few points.  But let me go ahead and answer your questions.

-Is 13 weeks enough for an accurate herpes test?

We tell people 12 weeks.  They for the most part will catch all infections at this point.  The HerpeSelect test was the only one that was picking up infections at 12 weeks when compared against the Western Blot (the HSV gold standard test).  You had a one time protected encounter which is low risk.

-Would pain in my groin be a result of herpes or possibly another STD?  I have been tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hep, Herpes, Chlymydia and Ghonorrea at 13 weeks, all coming back negative. So I am more concerned about HIV due to the long window period and Herpes because of the 16 week window period and the possible inaccuracy of a blood test.  

Could be anything.  Including stress/anxiety to much feeling around down there checking yourself.  Given your negative tests I think you have nothing to worry.  HIV tests now will pick up a accurate answer in about 8 weeks post encounter.  We always advise here 12 weeks on HIV as well.  

-Although I was protected, I shaved earlier that day and am afraid the minor cuts/razor burn could have increased my chances of getting infected that way.

While it could have presented a easier entry into your body it may not be herpes.

-Could the achy feeling in the groin be anxiety related?
Yes it sure could.  

The bottom line on your questions is that while the testing is better than what it used to be it isn't 100% all the time.  Tests will sometimes miss 1 out of every 10 infections.  Given you had no symptoms when you first started this journey and just now are getting something chances are it isn't herpes.  But be seen by your doctor for a proper work up.  I wouldn't reset at this point.  Accept your negative and move on.  If you need to test again I would do it this one time and then trust your results.

[Jim3535]

I think forums like these are very helpful in dealing with the stress and anxiety, so I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

I should mention the one time protected encounter was with a sex worker in the Netherlands, in which prostitution is legal.  It was one of the window workers, so I just have to assume she had every disease.  And although I have been tested, I worry about other STDs that maybe weren't caught that could be transmitted via skin to skin contact, such as Molluscum Contagiosm, Chacroid, and Lymphogranuloma Vereum.

I should say though that I was tested at 6 weeks for all of the STDs mentioned in my origianal post, and then again at 3 months (actually 13 weeks).  And so far everything came back negative (except for a scare at 6 weeks when my Doctor told me the Herpes 2 test came back positive only to tell me the next day that it was a false positive).  That was a fun day!  

The Herpes test was the Type GG specific, for both Herpes 1 and 2.  

I wouldn't be so worried if it weren't for the symptoms in my groin area.  And all I ever read is how infections cause the swelling of Lymph nodes.  One thing for sure, I have learned my lesson.  It just isn't worth it to have sex with a prostitute, even with a condom.  The anxiety can seriously damage someone psychologically.  

My last and final question to you, and I promise last question, are my symptoms quite common with Herpes (or possibly another STD that I have not been tested for)?  I rely a lot of finding on numbers, stats, facts, etc., so any numbers you can throw at me will help me immensely.

And thank you again in advance!

[Mistakeguy789]

If I recall the Netherlands does allow prostititution but typically or legally I think they have to be tested.  Also most of them get tested anyway.  STD's are bad for business.  Protected would mean you have nothing to worry about except the skin to skin.  

MC is typically something we get at childhood and it resolves on its own.  The others I couldn't tell you about.  Though in all honesty assuming someone has everything in the book should have stopped you before you did the act.  Regardless of such you don't know what she may have.  Negative tests mean you are negative.

I am not understanding the false positive test.  If igg is negative typically you are negative.  You should work with your doctor and keep on with the symptoms you are having.  Doctors aren't newbies when it comes to the medical stuff.  While doctors have a lot to learn and some of them don't always keep up to date on testing taking a patient history and looking at STD's is a big thing they do.  Your doctor will know based on your symptoms what tests to look for if anything.

Numbers don't matter at this point.  Not everyone person has STD's.  Those that may not every encounter is going to lead to an infection.  You had protected sex.  You were negative for HSV and other STD's.  So at this point I would say relax.  Stop worrying.  Show your skin issues to a dermatologist who specializes in the skin and move on.  

[gracefromHHP]

if you have blisters, it's best to be seen when you have them for a proper exam. Many things can cause blisters and if these aren't painful, odds are they aren't herpes but obviously something is causing them. finding out what is causing them is important because until you know what is causing them, you can't prevent them.

let us know how your appointment turns out and if they find out what was going on :)

grace