False negative tests?
Posted , 5 users are following.
So I recently took an IgG antibody test after years of suspecting that I have herpes (but being in denial). Results for both the HSV 1&2 IgG antibodies came back negative. My HSV 1 result was <0.01 and HSV 2 result was 0.11. (I was actually a little suspicious of such a low result for the HSV 1 antibodies; Can it be too low suggesting an error? lol) I am just not convinced that my results are accurate based on symptoms that I have had in the past and also based on a situation that happened with my most recent ex boyfriend: he told me that after we started having sex without protection he noticed an "irritation" on his penis that comes and goes and is just a little itchy. He went to a dermatologist who told him it was candida balanitis and that he likely got it from me. So I went to be tested for everything (but no blood test) and everything came back negative, including yeast. I mean, I don't think yeast infections just "come and go" so easily do they? And why didn't I test positive for yeast if that's what it was? So I was worried that maybe I gave him HSV. Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone has information on false negative IgG tests for someone with an established infection because I am not having any luck finding anything online. Of course, I'm hoping that my results really are just accurate, but then I have more questions due to the symptoms that both me and my ex had. If it matters, I did the Herpes Simplex 1 & 2 test from Let's Get Checked.
1 like, 7 replies
raee80476 Guest
Edited
Are you asymptomatic?? Maybe you simply don't have it, male yeast infections can cause tiny ulcers at the head.
IgG is apparently most accurate when taken after 12 weeks of exposure. Were you tested around that time?
Guest raee80476
Posted
I sure hope that's the case! I have been asymptomatic for like a year now but have had symptoms in the past that may or may not have been due to herpes, it was never obvious visually,
but every so often I would get a tiny spot that was very itchy but it would go away pretty quickly. At one point last year I was having symptoms on and off that were similar to a yeast infection but it went away without treatment so I don't know. The very first time that I think I may have been exposed to herpes was actually like 10 years ago when I noticed an odd bump while in the shower. I was in a long term relationship at the time and suddenly a couple of days after this bump appeared, my bf pulls out a bottle of Valtrex and tells me that it's for his really bad cold sore outbreaks. In hindsight it feels like he was showing me all of a sudden because he saw the bump and thought he had given me herpes lol. But after that I didn't really have symptoms for a long time and it was just when my most recent ex (a different guy) developed those symptoms that made me genuinely suspicious again especially since I was negative for yeast. But I just took the blood test a few weeks ago and haven't been sexually active since we broke up (almost 2 years ago) out of fear that I do have it and will pass it on. Is it possible for IgG antibodies to diminish over time or do they stay detectable forever? Sorry for the book lol.
Oh! side note: I have also gotten these weird blisters in the back of my throat. It has only happened a few times but it's very obvious when it does because it feels like something is stuck in my throat when I swallow. Always just one, firm, fluid filled blister. So basically my theory is that Valtrex guy actually had genital herpes and I got it both genitally and in my throat. Ok, I'm done now lol.
raee80476 Guest
Edited
The emotional impact of HSV is the worst part, so if I were you I would not worry especially as your tests came back negative. HSV can be tricky to find in the blood which is why they prefer to swab the sores but your antibody levels would be higher if you've had it for 10 years, so I don't think you have it. Those blisters could be oral candida. But if you do have it, it sounds like HSV1 if it's also in your throat and your ex had history of cold sores. But so far it doesn't sound like it's played an issue in your relationships. You can supplement with lysine and see if it prevents those blisters. But I would trust the test results. Take care x
Guest raee80476
Posted
Thank you for your responses and reassuring words. I will try not to worry unless I have symptoms again in which case hopefully I can get a swab.
bonni11893 Guest
Posted
hey!! im in a similar situation - i keep getting neg blood results even tho i think ive got herpes? i also suffer with chronic thrush but also have never had blisters etc up til now! did you manage to find anymore info on it?
Guest bonni11893
Posted
No unfortunately!! I recently had a bad yeast infection and felt like I also had a UTI (which I read can be a symptom of herpes also), and I also had what I thought might be a herpes outbreak for the first time in like 2 years- it was 2 very tiny but very itchy spots on the lower part of my outer labia..but I was out of the country so couldn't do too much (great trip let me tell ya lol) I treated the yeast infection and everything else cleared up pretty quickly..I don't know I might take another blood test.
Guest bonni11893
Posted
Also I have read on a couple of different forums that 25% of people test falsely negative for HSV1?? I cannot find any information to support that anywhere...that's a high percentage so you'd think if that were the case you would be able to find some information about it?? lol The only thing I ever find about false negatives are if you haven't waited long enough to develop antibodies and it can take up to 6 months...but of course the tests and the people running the tests aren't perfect so there is always that. Hopefully our results are just accurate, but it's frustrating to not know what's going on.