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False negative (swab) possible?


felixfish

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Hi

So i have just returned home from the doctor, who has told me i tested negative to GHSV (1 & 2 tested for and both negative), following a visual diagnosis. Which is a relief - but with the current state of my lady land, i'm wondering if there's any possibility of a false negative?

I started to get symptoms about a 1.5-2 weeks ago, with sores appearing soon after - one by one... only symptoms were sores, pain, itching and discharge, along with swollen lymph nodes in my groin - no cold or flu symptoms. I had a swab done on Monday, and had quite a number of sores at this point, a couple of which had only just come up, which i would think would help accuracy. I had recently started having unprotected sex with a new partner (but someone who i've known for ever, who i believe would disclose - if he knew there was anything to disclose, but...), so there was enough there that it was looking very likely. 

The doctor was confident that it wasn't herpes, but couldn't suggest what might have caused it (had a full run of STD tests and general blood work), and said there was no point re-testing as things are healing up, and that the tests are super accurate. 

Whilst I am happy with the diagnosis, i guess i'm not totally convinced - so i thought it best to put to the experts :D (thats you guys of course).

Should i go and relax and enjoy a bill of clean health, or push for more tests, bloods (which can be false negative for months can't they?)? 

Either way, this has been a hugely eye opening experience - i knew nothing about herpes, and it has been such a learning curve, and even thought i thought i was reasonably careful with my sexual health, i'm not nearly careful or forward enough. This is definitely now going to change (and if anyone ever discloses they have herpes to me, i would still have sex with them, with adequate precautions, knowing what i now know - i may have run away scared due to ignorance in the past). 

cheers

Felixf

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On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 4:00 PM, felixfish said:

Hi

So i have just returned home from the doctor, who has told me i tested negative to GHSV (1 & 2 tested for and both negative), following a visual diagnosis. Which is a relief - but with the current state of my lady land, i'm wondering if there's any possibility of a false negative?

I started to get symptoms about a 1.5-2 weeks ago, with sores appearing soon after - one by one... only symptoms were sores, pain, itching and discharge, along with swollen lymph nodes in my groin - no cold or flu symptoms. I had a swab done on Monday, and had quite a number of sores at this point, a couple of which had only just come up, which i would think would help accuracy. I had recently started having unprotected sex with a new partner (but someone who i've known for ever, who i believe would disclose - if he knew there was anything to disclose, but...), so there was enough there that it was looking very likely. 

The doctor was confident that it wasn't herpes, but couldn't suggest what might have caused it (had a full run of STD tests and general blood work), and said there was no point re-testing as things are healing up, and that the tests are super accurate. 

Whilst I am happy with the diagnosis, i guess i'm not totally convinced - so i thought it best to put to the experts :D (thats you guys of course).

Should i go and relax and enjoy a bill of clean health, or push for more tests, bloods (which can be false negative for months can't they?)? 

Either way, this has been a hugely eye opening experience - i knew nothing about herpes, and it has been such a learning curve, and even thought i thought i was reasonably careful with my sexual health, i'm not nearly careful or forward enough. This is definitely now going to change (and if anyone ever discloses they have herpes to me, i would still have sex with them, with adequate precautions, knowing what i now know - i may have run away scared due to ignorance in the past). 

cheers

Felixf

Did dr di a swab test? Were blood tests IGg Done. Visual test not approprate!

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The same, almost happened to me. However, I retested 3-months later and was positive by swab. Blood work is best, but maybe give that a few more weeks for a retest. You know your body best, but I hope the first  swab is right for your sake.

Edited by NameHere
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If the sores were swabbed within 1 to 2 days of appearing, then they will be accurate. It's all about timing with swabs, Any longer than 1 to 2 days and the tests will be unreliable.

There is no point testing further. Go and enjoy your life

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