Swab and blood test negative ??

[KelsMichelle]

Hello there. I was diagnosed with genital herpes 3 years ago. Didn’t get a swab done initially (too upset/didn’t think of it) and my dr looked at it and said it was H and gave me antivirals. Over three years I’ve had 4-5 obs. Recently seeing someone w type one genitally, so I got a swab done during my last outbreak (negative?? I know recurrences are higher for false negatives) so I got blood drawn and they told me I was negative for 1/2. I am so confused. I know I have herpes but can’t even tell people what kind because everything is negative. I always assumed it was type 2. But can’t even get for sure answers 😕 I mean the antivirals help and I have the itching and pain and blisters. So idk what else it could be and why everything is negative

[WilsoInAus]

Hey @KelsMichelle I suggest you need to start with the premise that you do not have herpes until you do. Visual diagnoses are not accurate.

If you’re in the US then a good next step would be the Westernblot and you could take that result as the best truth for your status.

[KelsMichelle]

On 9/16/2019 at 5:18 PM, WilsoInAus said:

Hey @KelsMichelle I suggest you need to start with the premise that you do not have herpes until you do. Visual diagnoses are not accurate.

If you’re in the US then a good next step would be the Westernblot and you could take that result as the best truth for your status.

I would love to assume I don’t hve it, but over 3 years (after sleeping with the same guy someone else apparently did the same night and was diagnosed by a different doctor, didn’t know he was like that) I started having outbreaks. Has never had problems down there until he was in the picture for one night. I know swans can be inaccurate when it comes to recurrences, it’s just annoying my blood test was negative. Nothing else known would cause exact herpes symptoms that I’m aware of

[WilsoInAus]

@KelsMichelle there aren’t really any unique symptoms for herpes. Bacteria, yeast and viruses can all cause similar to identical looking symptoms to herpes.

The Westernblot is an ideal test for someone in your position.

[T9000]

Did you actually see your blood test results? I would ask to actually see them. Make sure to take note of the name of the test that was used as well.

[KelsMichelle]

On 9/25/2019 at 12:18 AM, T9000 said:

Did you actually see your blood test results? I would ask to actually see them. Make sure to take note of the name of the test that was used as well.

I did not. From what I understand they tested for type one and type two and just told me over the phone it was negative. When I go back home to see my PCP, I may ask about more testing. I had the tests done at a planned parenthood near me for the time being (I live about 2 hours from home)

[KelsMichelle]

On 9/24/2019 at 10:09 PM, WilsoInAus said:

@KelsMichelle there aren’t really any unique symptoms for herpes. Bacteria, yeast and viruses can all cause similar to identical looking symptoms to herpes.

The Westernblot is an ideal test for someone in your position.

If I was to find out something else was causing my issues I’d be so relieved. I may look into the western blot once I save up from spending $300+ on swabs and blood tests (insurance doesn’t cover STI testing apparently, ha).  I would just like a for sure answer. Also the first few “obs” I had were almost textbook though. Redness and itching, blisters, they burst, and scabbed over. Now the past few times (I figured because of location) they’ve been flat white round spots, and some seem to “ulcer” but they don’t ever scab just slowly fade.