If you did not receive oral sex and you have had a cold sore on your lip when you were younger, I think this effectively eliminates genital HSV 1 infection.
Yes, a swab would have been exactly the thing to do. The negative IgG indicates that you were not infected with HSV 2 four months ago and backwards, which is useful in sorting this out.
I have not seen herpes sores that I would describe as gray, no.
The best blood test would be an IgG done 16 weeks after your last sexual encounter.
It is possible to not have symptoms at first and yes, to have them later, and they can be fierce yes.
I agree that you did not have prior infection ,yes.
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Terri