How soon for positive? - Herpes Message Board

rootcanalqueen · 08-11-2007, 08:08 AM

Can you get an accurate positive testing after only three weeks after transmission? I know there are many false negatives that early...just curious about the positives?

Ca.Girl2 · 08-11-2007, 09:32 AM

If your testing positive via a blood test 3 weeks after possible transmission then I'd say you already had the virus in your system.

It takes a heck of a lot longer to show up in your blood. Someone who knows the actual time frame can chime in with actuate data.

catharine101 · 08-11-2007, 09:49 AM

I think it takes about 4 - 6 months for the antibodies to build up in your system and to have an accurate positive reading.

From your previous post, I know you haven't had an OB, but your boyfriend has. You were wondering about being a carrier. I believe you mentioned having been with your partner for quite awhile. It is possible that HE could have been a carrier all this time, and for some reason had an OB now, due to stress or whatever. If you test positive now, you will likely never know who gave it to whom. As he seems to think you are at "fault", it might be useful to mention to him that he might be the one who had it first. It is best not to be accusitory though - you will never be sure.

If you are negative now, you can be sure that if you actually do have herpes, you have contracted it within the last few months. Meaning if you have been monogomous in that period, and you test positive later, you would have contracted the virus from your current partner.

The only way to get a positive reading within the 3 week period you mention is if you have an active lesion that the doctor takes a culture from. I suggest you have a test now. IF it's negative, get tested again in 6 months or so.

Hope this helps

rootcanalqueen · 08-11-2007, 10:42 AM

Thanks for the info. No, this was not a long term thing. We only had sex twice, he's actually my neighbor. And I know it's very contagious, but is it "likely" he contracted it from me, only having sex twice and no signs of OB... Or could it be other factors that initiated his OB?

Ca.Girl2 · 08-11-2007, 11:26 AM

Like Catherine said, go get yourself tested now. If it comes back A positive blood test then you'll know for sure if you've had it a while or not. And hey, even though the neighbor came up positive with a culture (I'm assuming) have him get a blood test and if he's just now acquiring the virus then the blood test will show negative. I say ye-ole neighbor has it and didn’t know it and is pointing the proverbial finger at you.

I contracted it in a similar fashion (although he was not my neighbor) ha

Anyway, I messed around with a certain someone, ended up at my doctors office cause I knew there’s something really really really happening down there and sure enough I'm positive after a swab and culture. Well, mr. wonderful of course has never had any out breaks nor has any of his previous 5 girl friends (going ten years back) sooooooo, he automatically assumes that it must be me (even though I'd be healthy as a horse up until my first outbreak)

Long story shorting up... He took the blood test 5 weeks after our first intimate encounter and came up positive for hsv2 even though he'd never had an outbreak. Obviously he had the virus and was a carrier and passed it along to me. (oh and dont forget, condoms DO NOT protect you 100%)

I've gotten far off track here and have forgotten what you were asking in your post... oh yeah... You asked is it possible for him to get it even though you've only had sex twice... ANSWER is YES

Just like its possible to get pregnant after having sex only ONCE.

And remember intercourse isnt how its passed necessarly. Its any skin to skin contact. That means he touches you.. he touches himself, Visa versa and bingo.. every one has forever friends..