Herpes?

[Ike92]

Hey I have a few questions I broke up with my ex a few months ago recently we came back toghter and she told me that when we were off she suspect she may contracted herpes ( had sores dr looked at it said it was herpes no test were done) I was confused about the fact that no test were done so we went to a gynocologist for a check up and heroes blood work and came back negative for both gyno assured me she was clean we proceed for one night unprotected oral And vaginal sex the day after I had flu and sore throat and that's when I became obsessed with this went on to a urologist about 5 times in a matter of 2 weeks and a walk in clinice about 3 times they checked the area and both Said that it probably just anxiety it's been 2 monthes since the occasion and I'm refraining from sexual inercourse symptoms seem to come and go I had a few days of constant urination then discomfort in the penis and feeling of warm pee I had blood work done 4 days after that sexual intercourse but from what I've read it's too early for accurate results now I'm experiencing cramping in both side of my legs but penis feels normal and still no visible sign of sores. I might as well mention that I became obsesed with this situation could all this be just anxiety or could it be the real deal??

[Bigtimeworried55]

Tim is right. I made my comment out of frustration and depression. My goal is to not worry others about there results, but I guess was applying my own thoughts on the subject.

Des, it doesn't make sense to me why others take either so long to seroconvert or just simply never show a positive via blood when truly infected with herpes. I mean we have a special gene or crazy immune system. It should show. It's that fact alone that makes me think I must trust what is offered medically through these blood tests and understand I have done everything possible to find a diagnosis. If I infect my partner moving forward, well then science failed me and I'm an extreme outlier when it comes to herpes testing.

Blood should be conclusively at 12-16 weeks. I stand by that. I just wish I could convince myself the same applies to me and my results.

[Des3102]

For the large majority of people, 16 weeks is highly accurate. There will always be outliers.  I, myself, am having reoccurring symptoms with no diagnosis but that doesn't make the science any less valid. Most (nearly all) people will test positive by 12-16 weeks if they are truly positive.  We are ultimately a function of biology and biology will always be slightly more complex than black and white, with gray areas for only a few people.  Results at 12-16 weeks are trustworthy as conclusive for nearly everyone. It is always up to us to use our judgement if something doesn't sit right with ourselves, but this is our best guideline, and it is pretty darn good.

[TiminBoston]

You know as well as anyone that what you just wrote is going to cause people who read it to worry and question their own negative results.  For someone like you who is "double-negative" your first outbreak would normally have been more along the lines of the textbook herpes incident with mulitple, painful blisters.  

The fact that your tests were VERY negative at 16 weeks, should be all the comfort you need that your issue is unrelated to HSV.  Besides, your main concern was/is HSV1 which does not linger the way your condition seems to have.  And it is RARELY passed genital to genital anway, which should eliminate some of your concern there.

I will certainly agree that 16 weeks is likely to not be conclusive for everyone; but your case doesn't apply.  VERY NEGATIVE for HSV2.  HSV1, we know, is missed much more frequently in IgG (and Western Blot) bood testing.

You give good advice here and people are lucky to have your feedback, try not to scare people with what you say.  

[Bigtimeworried55]

Des,

I'm hearing these blood tests are not as accurate as they claim in some people. My doctor will advise shorty as I have questions and will be seeing him momentarily, but my research is leading to these blood tests are not as accurate as they portray in certain people. Meaning you can have herpes and never show a + via blood. Only through swab on an outbreak.

Typically, a blood test at 12-16 weeks is conclusive. I'm not sure how I feel about this anymore.

[Ike92]

So 12 weeks  will be accurate results ?

[Des3102]

I would make sure you are both taking specific IGG tests at the appropriate times. 12-16 weeks after last sexual contact is conclusive.