Possible Genital Herpes Outbreak, Negative Blood Test HELP

[SheJee]

Over two years ago I had unprotected sex. Almost exactly two weeks later I got 3 red bumps in a row in my pubic hair region. They were not painful, and if I remember correctly were rather large, not hard, and completely red. A couple days later, I had some thick, yellowish vaginal discharge, and what could be sores on my labia minora (whitish outlines and red all over, but hard to tell because naturally they never crusted over). It was also extremely itchy in there for a couple days, mostly at night if I remember correctly. Soon, it subsided and the sores on my pubic area seemed to crust over (became flat, smooth, and white-ish). Stupidly I was too embarrassed to go to the doctor. Not until nearly two years later did I finally go get a Herpes Select type specific blood test (I was about to be in a new relationship). My results were completely negative for both type I and II. (Never had a cold sore).

Since what might have been my initial outbreak I've had one or two little bumps at almost all times. They don't hurt, aren't itchy, but are usually on my labia majora or near my anus. They look like small white bumps (a little pink on the edges) and are on my skin, not under. Single bumps.

The guy I slept with claims he's never had an symptoms of anything, and when I told him my blood test was negative, he said he didn't want to get tested.

I am very confused as to what this was if it wasn't herpes. I know the blood tests are notorious for giving false negative/positives. Would it be worth it to get a Western Blot?

[Fleetwood20]

The testing for HSV-1 misses about 10% of infections. So there is at least a small chance that what you have is genital HSV-1. The HSV-2 test is more accurate so less likely that it is this.

Continual bumps are not associated with typical herpes symptoms. For a lot of people, the symptoms go away completely between outbreaks. Another skin disease should be suspected in addition to herpes here. Have you been tested for HPV for example?

I'm not so sure about the Westernblot, if it comes back positive for HSV-1, you will not know if it is a latent oral infection or a genital one. The best you can do is have fresh bumps swabbed for HSV. Request a PCR test that is considerably more sensitive.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, most blood test are fairly accurate if it is an igg type specific. If you were negative for this test then most likely your negative. But the western blot is good for confirming any doubt but now you may have caught it from you new friend if he has never been tested.