Positive Culture Negative Blood Work Please HELP!!!

[Confused55634]

I've was first diagnosied with herpes in 2008. The symtoms I had were painful urination, itching, and also the doctor pointed out small white bumps. He did a culture which came back positive, but it did not specify what type I had. I have not had another outbreak since that initial diagnosis. I just recently went back for an annual check up and requested that blood work be done so that I could find out what type I had. The doctor just called and informed me that my blood work was in and I tested negative for type 1 and type 2. He said it will show .90 if you are positive and mine was no where near that. I am confused as to why I tested positive and now am testing negative. The antibodies should definitly be present in my blood after all this time. Please help!

[gracefromHHP]

And that is a very typical recurrence rate with hsv1 genitally too. The herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com has more info on hsv1 genitally for more reading.

grace

[Confused55634]

Thank you for your response. I spoke with the doctor again and he said that he requested a second test be done and the first and seconde blood test both came out negative. I am just really in shock, but I have never had another outbreak since the "initial one."

[gracefromHHP]

Even the best herpes blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. It's unfortunate that the provider who initially cultured you didn't order the culture typed as they should have to have gotten results then so you could be avoiding all this :(

At this point it's probably a decent assumption that you have hsv1 genitally but it's best to confirm that with a lesion culture and typing of your next ob. if it is hsv1 genitally, ob's should be few and far between so it won't be quick answers but it's the best you can do sometimes.

grace