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STDs (Expert Forum)
Possible to have 2 Herpes test False Negatives?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Possible to have 2 Herpes test False Negatives?
by stupidgirl72, Jun 15, 2007 12:00AM
I had unprotected sex in January 3 days later I broke out in sores on my labia, inside my vagina & one on my pubic mound so painful it hurt walking & sitting. I self-diagnosed believing I caught herpes. He said he had never had symptoms so we assumed he was a carrier without knowing it. I didn't go to a doctor I bathed with salt water & tea tree oil (very painful). The sores took about 10 days to go. The following month, I felt itching & soreness, a friend gave me Valtrex, which seemed to help. Since then I have had further soreness & also a throbbing pain in the genital area. I assumed it was Herpes lingering. 2 weeks ago (6 months after the outbreak) I had a full STD check. All results were negative including HSV1 & 2. I was so convinced it was a false negative I got retested. The results were negative again. I'm not sure what test was used the 1st time but I was told it's v. reliable. The 2nd test was HerpeSelect. Is it possible I could have 2 false negatives? I haven't had any sores since Jan, but last week where I had the original sore in my pubic region, I felt a few stabbing twinges. It reminded me of chicken pox. Could the continuing symptoms be psychosomatic as I have given myself a hard time about having unprotected sex, and was paranoid I caught something, but realistically I don't think the outbreak in January was caused by my mind! Note back in Jan I was so stressed and run down my hair was falling out. Could the outbreak be anything other than an STD?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jun 15, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 15, 2007 12:00AM
From your description, I certainly would have thought you had herpes. But it's not the only thing that can cause such symptoms. A chemical or allergic reaction to something (lubricant?), other non-sexually transmitted viruses, rare STDs (syphilis, chancroid), and various other problems could be responsible. You are a poster child for the reason for people with suspected herpes or other STDs to avoid self-diagnosis and see a health professional! And if you did have (or do have) herpes, you need to know the virus type; whether you have HSV-1 or HSV-2 makes a tremendous difference in frequency of outbreaks, the risk of transmission to partners, treatment, and counseling.
Having said all that, false negative blood tests can occur. But they are uncommon, and my bet is that you don't have herpes. But I really don't know. Certainly your current symptoms don't sound like herpes, and indeed might be 'psychosomatic'. (Whenever someone thinks his or her symptoms might have a psychological origin, s/he probably is right most of the time.)
I suggest you have one more HerpeSelect test in a few months, i.e. about a year after the initial event. If that also is negative, I think you can be confident you don't have genital herpes and never did. In the meantime, if 'real' symptoms of herpes reappear--i.e., genital area blister-like lesions or other sores--see a health care provider immediately, within 1-2 days of onset, to test the lesions for HSV.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Having said all that, false negative blood tests can occur. But they are uncommon, and my bet is that you don't have herpes. But I really don't know. Certainly your current symptoms don't sound like herpes, and indeed might be 'psychosomatic'. (Whenever someone thinks his or her symptoms might have a psychological origin, s/he probably is right most of the time.)
I suggest you have one more HerpeSelect test in a few months, i.e. about a year after the initial event. If that also is negative, I think you can be confident you don't have genital herpes and never did. In the meantime, if 'real' symptoms of herpes reappear--i.e., genital area blister-like lesions or other sores--see a health care provider immediately, within 1-2 days of onset, to test the lesions for HSV.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Member Comments (3)
by stupidgirl72, Jun 19, 2007 12:00AM
Thank you for responding. I am very confused. I was not using anything that could have caused a reaction, such as lubricant, and I got tested for all STDs including syphilis, and everything came back negative. So I have no idea what I had if it wasn't herpes. I desperate hope I have had 2 genuine negatives, but am paranoid that somehow, both tests have been wrong. I guess I will have to wait a while, and get retested for the 3rd time to make absolutely sure. My last question is: could the fact that I was taking valtrex have caused the tests to come back negative? Thanks again for your help.
by stupidgirl72, Jun 19, 2007 12:00AM
Thank you for responding. I am very confused. I was not using anything that could have caused a reaction, such as lubricant, and I got tested for all STDs including syphilis, and everything came back negative. So I have no idea what I had if it wasn't herpes. I desperate hope I have had 2 genuine negatives, but am paranoid that somehow, both tests have been wrong. I guess I will have to wait a while, and get retested for the 3rd time to make absolutely sure. My last question is: could the fact that I was taking valtrex have caused the tests to come back negative? Thanks again for your help.
