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is it possible for a positive culture to be false positive?
In May 2015 I tested positive for Herpes type 2 from a positive culture from an outbreak. My blood came back negative because it was a new virus and it takes up to 4 months to show in your blood. Well i got retested last week. And my results came back negative for herpes. My level was a .91 which i was told is negative. Has anyone ever been in this situation if so, did you get retested? Or did you trust the blood results? Does this mean my outbreak could of been something else?
I've had the exact same thing! Only slept with one person in 7 months, he has not been near anyone else in 7 months (if one of us had it we would have to have antibodies in blood by now) and both our bloods have come back negative for HSV1&2. A swab from one sore I found (have only every had one) was taken and I was told it came positive for chicken pox / shingles which the dr said was definitely herpes as it was on the entrance to my vagina and the labs frequently mistake shingles swab results for HSV. But my bloods show I do not have HSV at all so I am left very confused.
I called and verified i was tested for both hsv1 and hsv2 and i was. They both came back negative.
The swab at the moment trumps as a diagnosis at this time. You need to assume you have genital HSV.
Did you receive both vaginal and oral sex in the week leading into sores appearing? Did you partner have oral cold sores (not necessarily an outbreak at the time)?
Up to half of genital infections are HSV1 these days. I would suggest the culture was probably not tested for type but assumed to be HSV2 given genital location.
Did you receive both vaginal and oral sex in the week leading into sores appearing? Did you partner have oral cold sores (not necessarily an outbreak at the time)?
Up to half of genital infections are HSV1 these days. I would suggest the culture was probably not tested for type but assumed to be HSV2 given genital location.
Ok thanks for the advice. My outbreak was in my genitals. Just would like to know if it wasnt herpes what caused the outbreak
Hm... so will you get retested? Or do you trust the blood work results. Did your doctor explain where the outbreak came from? Great news for both of us but lots of questions.
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1/10 tests for HSV1 miss HSV1 so there is a chance we have that still. I'm going to continue to get tests every month for a few months. That way I'll get a lot more certainty after a few tests. I think you should to. Where was your outbreak?
Thank you for your reply. Yes the blood test was for hsv2 which was what i told the doctor i tested positive for. I will look into getting the western test.
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Test for HSV 1 as that can be in genital area too.
Hi, a positive swab is conclusive and the only way a false positive is a lab mix up with some else or misreading the test by the taker but these are higly unlikely to happen.
In caes like this you should take the Western Blot test for final confirmation.
In caes like this you should take the Western Blot test for final confirmation.
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Not completely true. It Can come up positive for HSV and occasionally be shingles or chicken pox. As the swab cultures are so similar for HSV And VZV
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
