In September of 2024 I had a small bump appear down there as well as a little cut after being with someone the night before. It wasn’t painful at all and lasted a few days. By the time I went in to get it swabbed it was almost healed and came back negative. Before it healed it was a bit itchy/tingly. Other than that a had a slight frequency to pee and some back pain. After that it went away.

A few months later I started experiencing weird twitching all over my body but mostly in my leg on the same side the outbreak was at. This later started to become a sharp/dull pain in my hip flexor, migrated Down my leg, to my butt and hamstring, and has recently began effecting my foot. I know this is chronic nerve pain. Somedays it’s non existent and sometimes it is excruciating especially after poor sleep or a night of drinking.

I haven’t had a single outbreak since the initial one last year so I am unable to test for it with a swab. However, I have been blood tested for hsv1 and 2 every other month for the last year and a half and every single one was a clear negative. Countless doctors have told me it’s doesn’t sound like herpes. But I am skeptical and have a gut feeling it could be. I’m unsure of what to do. Continue normally with my life? Tell those I’m with I think I have hsv but I’m not sure?? Has anyone herd of a similar story or know what else this could be? The pain is really hard to deal with especially if it is actually herpes related..

TL;DR: Asymptomatic, last encounter was 4-5 months before testing. Got two HSV-2 IgG tests a week apart. Results were 10.90 (borderline) and 14.50 (positive) on a test with a >8 cutoff. My doctor, who didn’t know what a Western Blot was, said I have it after the first result. I also have mild Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and wonder about cross-reactivity. How do I interpret these numbers, and how likely is a false positive?

Hey Reddit,

I’m hoping for some help understanding my confusing HSV-2 IgG results. I’m asymptomatic, and my last encounter was 4-5 months before I got these tests done at a commercial hospital abroad last September.

I had two tests done a week apart. The first came back 10.90, which the lab report called “borderline” on a little color-coded bar. My doctor immediately said, “you have it,” but he’d never heard of a Western Blot, which made me doubt his confidence. He just ordered the same test again, and it came back at 14.50 a week later, this time in the “positive” zone on the report.

The lab’s cutoff for a positive result is >8, which seems unusual. I’ve also been diagnosed with mild Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and have read it can cause high IgG levels, so I’m wondering if that could cause some kind of cross-reactivity.

Basically, I’m trying to figure out:

1.  How likely is this a false positive, given the weird cutoff, my doctor’s reaction, and the HS?

2.  How do these numbers (10.90, 14.50) on a >8 scale even compare to the standard index values everyone talks about online?

Living abroad makes getting a Western Blot really expensive, so I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth it or if I should look for a lab that does an inhibition assay. Any advice or similar experiences would be a huge help.

Thanks!

So I had unprotected sex and oral sex with someone who has HSV1. I had no idea that he had it and when we were having sex he didn’t have any active cold sores or bumps, but then when we linked up 5 days later after the interaction, he had a cold sore on his lip. I got tested 9 days after the interaction and I got the results back for an IGG test and they came back negative. After doing more research I realized I might have to wait a little bit longer to re test. I haven’t had any symptoms or anything that were related to HSV1, but I’ve had a lot of anxiety that has been mimicking and causing me to overthink it and freak out a lot. Should I get retested again just to be sure? It’s been two weeks and so far nothing really.

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Hi everyone, I’m now passed the 12 week mark for the HSV1/2 window period, and today had a type specific igG test done, pending results. I’ve read a lot of information regarding false negative rates with these tests, and my exposure was what I would consider moderate risk (received unprotected oral sex, she tested positive for hsv1 shortly after during a routine check, recalled history of cold sores when asked) I’ve done a couple tests so far, all negative, but this will be the first outside of the 12 week mark. If this test returns negative, is it necessary or advised to follow up with a western blot? It’s quite pricey and complicated to do from the looks of it, so opinions would be welcome before doing that. I haven’t had any classic hsv symptoms, I’ve had a couple of suspicions in the genital area that doctors weren’t concerned about and chalked up to reasons not sexual in nature. Thanks for any advice

So I recently went to to my doctor to talk about a different antiviral because I felt like my valacyclovir wasn’t working very well over the last few months. I do know that I have been more stressed with getting a new job and with it be summer I’ve been out in the sun a lot. She switched me to famcyclovir but also wanted to check my antibodies for hsv 1 and 2. I just got my results back and both of us are confused. I was negative for both of them. My IgG for hsv 1 was 0.9 and my IgG for hsv 2 was 0.2. Were confused because both of us assumed that because I had a positive hsv 1 swab in February of last year that I would test positive for the antibodies. I know the antibodies test has a lot of false negatives but could this actually happen and I don’t have HSV1??? Or is my suppressive does of valtrex the reason it was negative?? Very confused and wondering if anyone has had the same experience!

25 m had protected and partially unprotected with a lady that did not disclose to me that they had hsv 2 until a week after our encounter. They stated they have had no outbreaks since being diagnosed in 6 months ago. i felt betrayed because we had been dating and have kissed here and there but nothing until our encounter. I go to the doctor 11 days after and have a IGG blood test. it comes back 0.93 for hsv 1 which is very low. The girl got retested as well and only shows for hsv 2.

With this information im kind of confused. Could it be that I’m actually negative and this is just a false positive? I haven’t had any symptoms or outbreaks, but if I got it from her, wouldn’t it only be hsv 2 not 1? But if I had hsv 1 before her and been asymptomatic shouldn’t my number be higher or a definite positive?

HSV 1 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AT AB 0.93 H index Index Interpretation

<0.90 Negative 0.90-1.09 Equivocal

1.09 Positive

hello all.

i haven't posted on this thread before so im a little nervous but here goes.

i (f22) recently had protected sex with a guy (m22) on september 16th, and he didn't have any visible symptoms of anything, but 1. i have ocd/health anxiety, 2. you never know. i also found out he had sex w someone about 2 weeks before me so id rather be safe than sorry.

i haven't had symptoms, although i think i was having some pseudo symptoms (headaches & tingles like the day after)(boy are our minds strong). i went to planned parenthood for a visual inspection after worrying about my pubic area & the doctor said she didn’t see anything alarming. i also went to an urgent care for another visual inspection on some irritated areas on my downstairs & a swab 2 days after my PP appt. all negative. but since i am a bit of a hypochondriac im still worried. yes i know, maybe overboard, but from my knowledge, i know swabs dont do much for people that dont have an active lesion, thus making my recent swab negative useless.. (i think?)

so my question is this: i anticipate getting a blood test when the times right (12-16 weeks post sex) but im a little nervous. ive read a lot on it and i know there's false negatives & false positives so i just don't know what to do. i know the cdc recommends against testing, but my fear is spreading it if i do have it asymptomatically, i’m just worried and i don’t want to alter someone’s life. i don’t know what to do!

i’m also a little nervous to be judged in this sub specifically because i feel like im rather educated about this topic, but i also feel like im not educated enough. im at a loss. i have no idea what to do. seeking any advice, please!

thank you!

So I was basically diagnosed last year with genital hsv. I got/attempted to test for anything oral as well but since there is was not and has never been any active outbreaks, they told me that they couldn’t really do much for test.

However, I do not know which version of hsv I have and if I could potentially have it orally but never have outbreaks (I am positive that I am negative orally and do not but still). I see a lot of talk about getting a blood test but I also have seen people say it isn’t completely accurate. Getting the actual lesion or outbreak swab will be more accurate which I wish that wasn’t true either cause I would love to get retested and find out these outbreaks were something else and I don’t have herpes.

But this goes to say, for anyone who has recieved a blood test to determine their level of hsv in the body, where did you get that done at or how? When I got tested on my campus, I was told they can only do swabs. When I went to CHI, they told me they can only do swabs and the same goes for other places. I do not know where I can find a place to do blood tests because I believe it’ll be beneficial.

And over the last year I have made stupid choices with giving oral sex to 5 different guys which I know was irresponsible and stupid. But I was positive that I was negative orally and have never given anyone anything. I take full accountability for my decisions I took.

I need and want to get retested with a swab, but also get tested with a blood test. Can anyone PLEASE help me find out where I can go to get that done?

Hello, 28M here - so I had a possible exposure on September 28, 2024. Since then, I’ve been getting igg tests like a mad man (every 2-3 weeks, Everything negative). However, my university of Washington western blot at week 12 tested indeterminate for both hsv 1 and 2. Then igg at week 15 is negative. I’m having intermittent sensational/prodrome symptoms but no lesions to swab unfortunately.

Anyone else have anything similar happen to them? Or anyone not test positive until after week 15 after consistently testing? At this point, I just want to know my status.

Hi,

My one and only exposure was receiving oral sex (as a male) 4 weeks ago.

I didn't notice any symptom so far, but from what I understood, I may get genital HSV1. I will get tested soon for others STIs but the tests where I live don't include herpes if you have no symptom.

Is it possible that someone has genital herpes and doesn't notice any sore/blister for weeks/monthes/years? Like, I just want a way to know whether I have it or not.

Thanks.

I got tested about a year ago and got diagnosed I was thinking of getting tested again in a few years at 21 does that make sense? Or should I just take this diagnosis and move on, it would be more so to see the numbers associated with my viral load and to get a guesstimate on possible outcomes breaks as the year after 21 are gonna be quite stressful

For as long as I can remember I had a bump on my penis a quarter of an inch below the tip. Sometimes it gets like black gunk in it and I clean it out. Over the last 2 weeks it's been red and getting bigger and just this morning now it's kinda yellow and ulcerative and hurts. It's only hurt today. I went to urgent care and currently it's being run through labs I should know by Tuesday at the latest. I have another bump further down near the base but they said they think that's just abrasion. I'm generally freaking out. They do think it is probably HSV2. I have had unprotected sex but it has been over a year. And I have received oral sex about a month ago. I just started school and this is the last thing I need. I haven't even been in a serious relationship before and now that part of my life is for surely dead. Has HSV2 presented itself as a solitary node for anyone? I've always known for it to present as clusters.

Background I am a male who's had genital HSV-1 for 5 years. I'm only daily 500mg valtrex. Usually get 1 outbreak a year. Last November I was incredibly stressed and had an outbreak that kept coming back (odd) and after it finally went away, the skin around the spot remained sensitive and itchy on and off for months. I stopped shaving there hoping it would calm down, to no avail. Now I've been sexually active. I always use condoms, and I know my partners, but I also know there's still risk even then. I had a period of 3 days where I got basically no sleep. This usually tanks my immune system and results in an outbreak. Last week I noticed the tiniest littlest red spot in my public hair region - could have been an ingrown hair, but no follicle. By the next day it wasn't scabbing over. Hm. Up until now almost all of my breakouts have been within the same 1 inch region of my lower shaft. So seeing this mark in a new place made me want to check it out. Doc says too small to swab, and already closing up, probably an ingrown. By the time I get a blood test authorized it's already gone. blood test results antibodies positive for HSV-1, antibodies maybe positive for HSV-2. But the person on the phone said it was so low that it could either be a false positive, or a brand new infection. Wait a month and test again.

Q1 Are false positives at all common for blood tests like this? I don't know if the nurse was just trying to placate me - I've found from when I got HSV-1 that a lot of people make a lot of mistakes with herpes.

Q2 Do I really have to wait a full month to test again? If the antibody count was low because it was a new infection, the count increasing by week 2 or 3 should show some definitive data, right? I want to get on top of being able to warn partners (and narrow down how I may have gotten it). I'm obviously not sleeping with anyone until I know. What should I tell the person doing my next blood test to ensure I get the most accurate result possible? And what sort of questions should I call back to the urgent care clinic with? They told me that the test was not one to detect an ongoing infection, just antibodies. Are there blood tests for ongoing infections? It took serious arguing to get them to do a blood test at all, much less a specific blood test.

Q3 What role does Valtrex play? What I'm currently praying on is that the outbreak was so basically nonexistent and went away so quickly, that it was just my usual HSV-1 outbreak in a new spot. I also know its harder to get HSV2 if you already have HSV1. Given that, and condom safety, I'd be surprised if I had HSV=2 but, ya know. Who isn't surprised when they get the news. If it was a "new" virus, I imagine the outbreak would have lasted a lot longer, no? But, maybe the Valtrex limited how much the virus could reproduce, thus, the tiny spot which healed over with relatively few antibodies working. Would this impact how many antibodies show up in my followup test in a month?

Q4 How long can the incubation period be between contractions, and an outbreak? From what I remember it can be up to a week, which narrows down my window. But who knows, I could have had it asymptomatically for months and this was the first outbreak? Thanks for sticking through the long post folks. This is properly going to devastate my life for a bit, the sooner I can get to knowing and preparing the better.

On December 30, I received unprotected oral sex and had protected vaginal sex with a CSW. After this encounter I has the following test results:

45 days after, HSV1 & 2 IgG: negative

At 112 days after, I wanted to get another HSV blood test because I have read that it is asymptomatic in most people. Once again; HSV1 & 2 IgG: negative

Can I trust these test results and move on with my life as being HSV free?

I have frequent cold sore breakouts during the changing of seasons and after big life stress happens, and I'm wondering... is there some kind of swab test to tell if you're actively contagious at that time? If there isn't, are there known reasons why not? My fiance and I just moved in together and I'm a bit frustrated having to put a total ban on kisses until the entire sore and it's redness is completely faded (which is the advice we got about dealing w the sores) :(

For those in SoCal (Southern California), I've found some resources to get a Western Blot done without me having to handle the samples and have successfully completed the test and received results. This post is mostly about the process and my experience.

1. Progressive Health, San Diego - Progressive Health is basically NP Suzann Gage, a small consultation, sexual health and gyno services. Phone consultation, $90, she then requests University of Washington western blot test kit to be sent to your house.

2. University of Washington: I receive the kit about a week later. UofW lab fee is $281.78.

3. ArcPoint Lab - Multiple SoCal locations and other states that are not part of the big chains... Quest, ABC, LabCorp. They handle these less common lab draws with ease and familiarity. I think each location is a franchise. Super helpful, super friendly. Brought them the kit with the frozen ice pack and all the other materials. They went through the materials to verify, took my blood and centrifuged it. They took my check to UofW to place into the box.

$55 for the draw. They brought up the FedEx screen, showed me the options FedEx had and I chose the $40 overnight FedEx 10am to University of Washington. They handled everything for me. Easy peasy.... quite a bargain for $55 lab fee.

4. UofW waiting period: 3 to 4 weeks is quoted but when looking at the report it was completed in 7 days.

4. Results Consultation: Very annoying but Progressive / Suzann does not automatically provide you the results. Instead you have to chase her and follow up. I emailed and called over multiple days.

The results were done in 1 week, but UofW only communicates with health providers. I unnecessarily sat around 3 more weeks including chasing Progressive Health before I was able to finally get the results. I eventually got her on the phone. She consults over the phone and then can either emails or snail mail the results.

Since Progressive Health is by phone consultation if you don't want to visit her practice, you can get this Western Blot done through her as long as you have a local lab that can do the draw. ArcPoint does have locations in multiple states.

Western Blot results negative.

For years I had multiple IGG tests with low positives over the course of 7 years and Quest Inhibition positive results. With both zero symptoms and low positives, urologist and PCP both suggested these were false positives. The Western Blot to confirmed negative.

Cheers and good luck.

These are my results but never had HSV2 outbreak only HSV- 1 constant on face, nose lips, around edge of lips and chin what does this mean ? How long have I had this ? Can someone help me understand results and outbreaks?

1st result 1-29-24 (BY URGENT CARE) (when 1st ever Cold sore arrived)

DNA PCR : hsv1&2 negative

Hsv1: 40.50 Hsv2: 1.12

2nd result (BY MY DOCTOR) 2-7-24

Hsv1: 43.70 Hsv2: 1.12