Just got test results back...Im confused. - Sexually Transmitted Diseases Message Board

Afroman · 08-20-2004, 04:57 PM

So my girlfriend went to the doc last week (friday the 13th) because she said it hurt when we had sex. The doc checked her out and said she found a leision (sp?) and suspected that it was herpes but could be a few other things. When she told me it totally caught me by surprise cause we have been together a year w/ no problems. That day I went to the clinic and they took a swab test and blood test and also gave me a week script of Valtrex. This week I noticed a little burning when I urinate as well as 4-5 very small red bumps on the head and around the shaft that eventually dried up and went away. . I was pretty positive that I had herpes and was ready for the bad news. My g/f's results hadnt come in yet so I decided to go to my doc today. First she said I was negative for HIV...whew....and to my surprise she said I tested negative for everything.....EVERYTHING! I was really happy at the moment and didnt even think about asking about the red bumps (I told her about the burning sensation the 1st visit and it has since gone away). I did however ask about the accuracy of the teste and she said they were pretty much flawless.

So my question is....where did the bumps and burning come from? Why did they see the same thing on my g/f.....is there any other medical condition besides an std that could cause something like this.? Im going to talk to my g/f later to see what her test results were....hopefully negative....Im crossing my fingers.

Magnetic · 08-20-2004, 06:27 PM

Wait to see the results of your gf. If she is negative for herpes, then you are probably ok, though getting a specific blood test for HSV would be wise. (Even if you were tested for herpes, and even if those bumps were herpes, you would not have yet built up the antibodys to get a positive test result.) The bumps might be herpes which the prompt taking of Valtrex inhibited, though it could be other things. The burning might from a generic urinary track infection that cleared on it on. Find out about your gf and then we can offer better advice (if needed).

Afroman · 08-21-2004, 01:57 PM

ok....they arent going to have my g/f's results till monday...shes freaking out cause she thinks she will be positive and not me. We havent had sex w/ anyone else since last oct....so if we do have it it hasnt been active till now. They did do a spacific blood test for herpes and it was negative......whats the chances of it being a false negative? the doc pretty much told me it was fool proof. thaks for the input.....

Magnetic · 08-21-2004, 02:39 PM

If she just had an outbreak and you were just exposed to it, the blood test might not have shown it. If she tests positive, then you should go back for another blood test as sufficient time has now elapsed for the antibodies to have developed and for the test to detect it. Let us know what her results were and we may be able to better advise you.

devastated · 08-24-2004, 08:41 AM

Depending upon which test the doctor used, there may be a chance of a false negative. If the test used was an "IgM" test, they are useless and not very accurate. Hopefully, she used an IgG type specific test, or the Western Blot, both of which are very accurate. However, even if a good test was used, if a blood test is done too soon after initial infection, like the previous poster said, there may not be enough antibodies built up in the blood yet to make a positive result. I have heard it may take up to 4 weeks after initial infection for herpes to show up on a blood test. I hope everything goes okay for your girlfriend.