Trust My Symptoms or Trust My Test Results

[CuriousDeForge]

I've tested negative for HSV three times now. The latest being a Herpeselect IgG antibody type specific test at 16 weeks post exposure, indicating negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2.

I briefly took Valtrex, but quit as to not interfere with my immune response. I'm pretty sure what I've had recently were cold sores, but my genital symptoms are unclear/mild.

Which do you think I should I trust regarding my status?

[worryman297]

Exactly I live overseas too can I get Western blot somehow?

[CuriousDeForge]

16 times! Thanks, BigTimeWorried55. I guess I recognized one sore near my chin as a classic cold sore--tingling, weeping, crusting, etc.

I will be vigilant to have any other sores promptly swabbed. And, it's possible I am slowly seronverting.

[Bigtimeworried55]

When you say you had obvious cold sore what does that even mean? What did the sore look like? Where was it? If it healed very quickly, like a few days, odds are it isn't herpes. Your tests conclude that and conclude that within the respected time frames for an accurate result.

I personally had genital lesions, inner mouth lesions, and odd tender bumps around my lip line. Convinced of herpes from a woman I had a sexual encounter with, I also tested negative 16 different times for both types. My symptoms were distinct, yet my results including the Western Blot, show a negative for both types a year from exposure.

Bottom line, not everything you experience is herpes even though it may look and feel like herpes. Trust the test. Your spike in antibody is a little disconcerting to me so I'm sure not sure if your body is taking a little more time to seroconvert. In either case, a negative is a negative. Move on unless you experience any other lesions and then seek a swab.

Good luck.

[CuriousDeForge]

Thanks, worryman297. I live overseas and am investigating getting the Western Blot. You noted a low negative. That's something that worries me. My HSV2 number went from .33 the first test to .75 today's test. HSV1 is at .23

[worryman297]

I recently tested at 15 weeks which came as a low neg for both. I had a single sore inside my lip but cant tell if it was definetely a cold sore but it wasnt a canker sore either. Also had burning in my mouth, but fromwhat I have heard and other people who gets cold sores, especially the first infection does not clear fast it has stages and other viral symptoms. I would trust life's advice but if you are truly curious and uncomfortable order a Western Blot from University of Washington that is more accurate for hsv1 (99%) but your hsv2 negative is absolutely conclusive and I had my genital symptoms just like you

[CuriousDeForge]

How long did that take after exposure?

[TeslaStorm]

I tested negative 4 times before I finally got my positive results (no new sex partners)

[CuriousDeForge]

The genital symptoms were so mild and came so quickly that it's hard to get them swabbed in time. The cold sores also came and resolved quickly and weren't all that noticeable, but seemed undeniably to be cold sores. I was hoping my test results would at least clear up which viruses I'd contracted, but the negative result leaves me perplexed. Sorry you are in the same situation. Did you do a blood test?

[Life360_Dave]

trust the test

[worryman297]

Can you describe the symptoms if they are clear textbook symptoms and multiple doctors(Dermatologist, infectious disease specialist, std specialists are better for herpes than GPs)  visually said its herpes and a PCR swab culture came back positive it is definetely herpes. I am in a similar situation myself and deeply regret not getting a swab now I have no symptoms and it can be annoying. Should the symptoms occur get them swabd as soon as possible. But now There is very small chance you have herpes