Confused after diagnosis?

[sm0519]

Hi there. So I went into the doctor after getting a rash on my genitals that got a little irritated. I thought it was just from an infected razor burn. I had no other symptoms except the bumps and a little bit of swelling. The doctor took a swab and told me it didn't seem to be herpes, but she took a blood test to be sure. She put me on antibiotics for another infection I had, and it cleared everything up in less than 48 hours. I got a call about a week later and they told me over the phone (which are they even allowed to do?) that I tested positive. They gave me no other information or anything but just told me I was getting prescribed an antiviral. I called my boyfriend of 3.5 years after that and he was just as shocked as I was. I asked if there was any way he had herpes since he's the only person I've ever been with, and he said no. He was tested a couple weeks before I was for everything and it all came back negative. These past few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster, and I'm completely lost. I haven't had any issues since all of this and I'm wondering if this could at all be a false positive? I'm thinking I should go somewhere else and be tested again. Thanks in advance!!

[WilsoInAus]

The only thing you can do is get hold of a printout of the tests. You had a swab and blood and it is critical to know which one is positive.

As for your partner's testing, did it include IgG type specific for HSV-1 and HSV-2?

[sm0519]

I believe his was tested for both 1 & 2. The swab was negative, blood was positive. I should've asked more questions when I was told, but I was in complete shock and didn't even know what to say. 

[WilsoInAus]

OK I think that is starting to clear things up.

The positive blood (I am assuming that is for IgG) would mean that you have had herpes of the identified type for at least a little while. You would not have been infected recently with the type identified. For example, if it was positive for HSV-1 (this is pretty likely) this would almost certainly be a childhood HSV-1 infection). Do you get oral cold sores?

If you are quite confident your partner's test was IgG for HSV-1 and HSV-2 and negative for both, then it is game over. This is most probably not a genital herpes infection. This is supported by a swab.

Hence please do get a copy of the results. As mentioned, I think you might see IgG HSV-1 positive.

[sm0519]

I've never gotten a cold sore, but I know typically most people have HSV-1. I'm going to obtain the lab results and probably get tested again elsewhere to be sure. Thank you so much for your help.