Never develop hsv antibodies

[worrier123]

Grace,
I've read on this site that a small percentage of people never develop antibodies after infection. My question is for clarificationon this. Does: a) a person develops antibodies but they just aren't detectable by blood test or b) if its possible for a person to be infected with hsv and just never develop any antibodies.  Thanks  

[gracefromHHP]

The immune response is very complex and there are more than just 1 type of antibodies for starters.

The herpes blood tests we currently have only look at certain sections of the igg antibodies to see if you are infected or not.  The WB looks at the most parts which is why we recommend it in many situations.  Just because you have herpes and it can't be picked up on the tests we currently have, doesn't mean that your body didn't develop any antibody response to the virus.

Only about 2% of folks who have hsv2 won't be detected on the blood tests we currently offer. If you are someone who has had multiple negative tests, odds are you really do not have it.

grace

[treesnake]

i am fairly certain that the antibodies develop but just arn't detectable. The immune system response I think happens when virus' enter the body.