Occurence of false negatives

[Worried5247]

What's the % of false negatives with a culture?

Also, I understand it is better to have a PCR swab done. However, I can't force the gyn to do that. It seems like the couple practices I went to just do a regular swab lesion and culture.  

How hard must they press when doing a culture to get virus on the swab. Seemed like the doctor just lightly swabbed over the area.  I assume he knows what he's doing but just asking....

[gracefromHHP]

regular viral lesion cultures have about a 70% false negative rate.

grace

[Worried5247]

well if that is the case and all these GYNs do them what's the point?  70% seems awfully high

[xxnikkixx666]

viral cultures are most effective during an initial outbreak; not so much with reccurent ones.  but i agree with you, they seem like pretty poor tests.  you should go for a type specific blood test.  when was the last time you were possibly exposed to herpes?  it usually takes your body several weeks to create antibodies?

[gracefromHHP]

When the lesion culture is positive it's incredibly helpful and fast answers as to what and where.  When it's negative - it needs follow up with type specific herpes igg blood test in the appropriate time frame.

PCR lesion cultures are far more accurate which is why they have become the recommended culture by the CDC but unfortunately not all clinics have made the switch yet :(

grace

[Worried5247]

I had received one culture back in a matter of 3 days from when it was done and it was negative. However, I went back in the following day from the time the first area was of concern swabbed b/c it was apparent to me and maybe the GYM missed it that there was something not right in another area. He was reluctant to culture again and just give me medicine for herpes thinking it looked not like classic herpes but ulcer like. I insisted that he culture this other thing. I still don't have the test back and now will not get it til possibly Tuesday. I'm not sure why this is taking longer.  Very worried.

As far as blood tests I have had several. A year ago I took one that was neg for both HSV 1 and HSV 2 but the IGM showed positive. Then I took one on Saturday again as a baseline and guess what neg for HSV 1 and neg for HSV 2 but IGM was pos. It's obvious that the IGM means nothing based on my situation. So this PA tells me you have a recent infection tell all your "partners" (as if I'm running around having sex with people) that you have an active, recent herpes infection. He also rudely told me I shouldn't be having sex with people without condoms Meanwhile, the situation was the condom broke two weeks ago and I am not in the least bit promiscuous as he insinuated on the phone. Many health professionals lack any sort of professionalism or compassion and also seem to be very much lacking knowledge regarding the herpes virus.