Herpes without an outbreak?

Posted , 4 users are following.

I was told after getting what I think is a regular std screening that I tested positive for herpes type 1. Now I’m confused as I’ve been researching the web a lot. How could I test positive without any visible outbreak? I read that they are blisters and I’ve never had any. I told my partner and his results came clean. How could I have this? I’m dying just thinking of it. The doctor I saw gave me not much to work with other than most of the population has it.  I am going to retest on the 8th but I’m terrified. Could I possibly have had it and not known? Why is this showing up now and not before? Someone help. 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi @lonewolf1. What test did you have done that resulted in a positive HSV result? From my research, blood tests (igG and igM) rarely give false-positives. False-negatives are possible but as much as I understand, a false positive might be impossible to receive unfortunately.

    My boyfriend was asymptomatic as well, has never had an outbreak, single blister, orally or genitally. But when we did our blood tests he tested positive for type 1 also. He is aware of his mother having cold sores and we figured that he must have picked it up from being kissed by her as a child.

     

    • Posted

      To be honest I have no idea what type of test. I know we didn’t swab anything. I didn’t even ask for paperwork. I just walked out after she told me not to worry that 90 percent of the population is a carrier for this virus. I plan to retest with my obgyn. Can I ask for a specific test? Ive just been having a dark cloud over me this entire week. Told my partner and well I’m not sure what will happen there. I’m just sad now.
    • Posted

      I had a igG blood test performed. It’s 70% accurate for HSV1 and 95% accurate for HSV2. I’ve also read that a western blot test is extremely accurate.

      Its helpful to knkw which type you have. HSV2 presents genitally where as HSV1 mostly presents orally but when in a contagious state can be passed from oral to genital.

      Hoping you never experience an outbreak (though my primary was breif and now a distant memory).

    • Posted

      I just realised you stated it was HSV1.

      Disregard the last portion of my response. 

      You and my boyfriend are in the same boat being asymptomatic which is fortunate, but still makes the diagnosis a shock rolleyes sorry your going through this. How are you doing/feeling? Hopefully better.

  • Posted

    It can lie dormant until your resistance breaks sown and then an outbreak occurs.
  • Posted

    Did you ever get retested? I was the in same boat as you. I never showed symptoms. Never had an outbreak and I ended up testing positive for oral herpes. And from what I’ve learned since then is that some people don’t show symptoms for years and if they do, it can  be very mild that it’s not noticeable. Hence why hsv1 is spread so easily that people aren’t aware that they have it. And if you had tested before and it was negative then if you come up positive now then you must have made contact with someone that carries the virus. 

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