false negative, what now

[thsquared]

My history is this: two negative blood tests (IgG) for HSV1 and HSV2 taken years after suspected exposure. No symptoms at all for 27 years and now, New positive HSV2 culture test, I believe to be true. Can I surmise that this is a new occurrence? My doctor said that my antibody levels may have been too low to detect in the blood tests, Is this possible? I am trying to determine if this is a new occurrence or a reoccurrence of something that I may have had for 27 years. I was told that a blood test now is of no use in determination of a new occurrence or just a reoccurrence. I know it is something that I have to live with now, but I need some REAL answers before I talk with my partner. (I will suggest he get tested, even though he has never had a recognizable symptom). so, is this new or is it possible that I tested false negative twice? If they were false negative tests, and I have been symptom free for 27 years after suspected exposure, what is my shedding rate and the possibility of infecting a partner?

[Terri Warren]

The antibody test would be very useful now. If it is negative and you have a positive swab test from a lesion, then this is very likely new infection. Please get an antibody test now – how long ago was the positive swab test?
I think it is unlikely that the antibody test missed the HSV 2 infection but possible. If your antibody test now is negative and then is positive in three months, this was your first infection. Your partner needs testing to help sort this whole thing out. About 80% of people with HSV 2 are not aware of it until they have an antibody test or they infect someone else.

Terri

[thsquared]

I’m left clueless. I got an antibody test through my PCP. (I’m done with the old gyno) The test was done 9 days after my first show of symptoms. The numbers for HSV2 were very high, 13.50. However, my numbers in 2011 and in 2004 were less than 0.01 for both HSV1 and 2. If this is a first breakout is it possible that numbers rise that high in 9 days? I have not had any recognizable symptoms since 2011, and now here I am, symptoms, positive culture, and positive IgG test. I had the talk with my partner, and he plans on getting a blood test. Either way his results will be difficult. If he is positive then he will blame me for giving it to him, and the rest of his life is compromised by this. If he is negative, well that is also a problem for the continuance of our relationship…. It is a problem either way… I am just still confused by my test results, past and present. They just don’t seem to add up. So my question now is shedding, and shedding rate… what information can you give me? Also, skin has seemed to have been healed for the past 6 days, yet I still feel some tingling… is the virus still active and shedding?

[Terri Warren]

No, I don’t believe this is likely a first outbreak by the index value numbers. They are quite high for 9 days. Do you know what lab ran the testing? you wrote 2004. Do you mean 2014?
How long have you been having sex with this partner?
You will likely shed about 15 days out of 100 days that pass. With antiviral medicine, that is about 7-8 percent of days.
Hard to know if the virus is still active. You really can’t know at any given time if the virus is active, honestly, without a swab test. Maybe, maybe not.

Terri

[thsquared]

No Terri, I meant 2004. Then I tested again in 2011. both negative. I’ve been with my partner since late 2011. I do not question his fidelity what-so-ever, and I do not believe that he questions mine. I’m sure his test might tell us more, but not much more. I do not know what lab ran the testing, either now or the two previous times. This entire thing is intensely emotionally traumatic. Why don’t more doctors realize this? The entire social stigma is way out of hand, (thanks to pharmaceutical marketing in the late 70’s and early 80’s) and herpes remains the “elusive virus” — no concrete information what so ever. and the “miracle” “guaranteed” “cures” just scams looking for your money?–probably. Well Terri, thank your for your input, though I guess when it comes to Herpes, there are very few, if any REAL answers….

[Terri Warren]

Yes, there are many scams on the internet for sure. But I wouldn’t say there are few real answers about herpes, but perhaps not the answers you would like to hear. Have you considered the possibility that you acquired HSV from your partner? If you tested negative in 2011 and he has been your only partner since that test, I’m unclear why you don’t think this came from him? You presumably have documentation of this negative test result. If he tests positive and you have this negative antibody test in your medical history, I’m not sure why you are worried he would blame you?

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Terri

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