Want to get to the bottom of this.

[hopeincu]

12 years ago I was diagnosed with genital herpes via swab culture.  The test results are listed as non type specific.  I've never had an outbreak since and I don't take meds. I wanted to know the type so I had an Igg type specific blood test. The test was done at the mayo clinic and came back negative for hsv 1 and 2. Could the swab test have been wrong.

[Fleetwood20]

Yes it is very possible that recent developments in tests have improved the detection levels for HSV1. Some of the information supporting the 10% 'miss' rate are based on the earlier iterations of the Herpeselect tests.

Unfortunately you at least have an indication that you are among the small percentage who may not test positive on a commercial test. The more complete nature of immune system response offered by the Westernblot provides you the best chance of detection. This would be in excess of 99%, nearing 100% but not quite.

[hopeincu]

The test they use appears to be from bioplex. From what I can tell it's 94-97% accurate for hsv1. The chart is confusing and I'm not used to looking at them.

[hopeincu]

The miss rate for igg other than western blot test is about 10% correct?

[Fleetwood20]

You would almost certainly not have HSV2, this IgG test is very accurate.

HSV1 infections are missed in commercial testing. A Westernblot would confirm whether a HSV1 infection exists.

If you received oral sex leading into your first outbreak and have had just a single outbreak along with a genetic HSV positive swab, then you should assume a genital HSV1 infection.

A negative Westernblot only would reopen the issue of a contaminated swab.