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Ten years ago I had a boyfriend who would get facial
herpes sores from time to time(usually around his
nose or on the cheek). He told me they were NOT
herpes, but I could tell they were. During the time we
were dating I developed an ulcer like sore just inside
my vagina. It did not hurt but looked like a canker type
sore. I went to the doctor who cultured it for herpes and
the test came back negative. It went away and I never
had another one. I was also screened for clamydia,
syphilus etc at the time. All negative.
Years later during another relationship my new
boyfriend developed herpes on his penis. He claims he
had not had it before and did not know where he got it.
We were not seeing other people (that I knew of!). I
remembered the mysterious sore years before and
panicked thinking I was some kind of Herpes Mary or
something. I wanted to find out if I had the herpes virus
so I could stop spreading it if indeed it was me who
had caught it years before from the earlier boyfriend. So
I went to the doctor and asked for an HSVI and HSVII
blood test. The doctor told me that they often produce
false positives, in that many people will håve the
antbodies for these viruses even though they have
never had active lesions. I didn't care and wanted to
have some certain info. Both tests came back negative.
She told me that it was not possible for me to have
herpes if both tests were negative. I felt relieved and
went on my merry way.
Now I am in a new relationship (I must seem like a real
tart to everyone, but this whole story takes place over a
near twelve year span and I am 34). My current
boyfriend was a near virgin when I met him and having
grown up with AIDS already in existance would not ever
dream of having sex without a condom. He is very
particular about things like this. He had never had any
sort of sexual infection or disease. However, a year
after he met me he developed a sore in the corner of
his mouth that looked like a canker. He went to the doc
who said it was a type of facial herpes. He was
naturally upset and asked if I could have given it to him
(possibly during oral sex). I told him the whole story
about the negative tests and my fear that I was a carrier
etc. We were never able to figure it out but about a week
after his sore I got one in the corner of my mouth which
I had never had in my life. We assumed then that he
had given me some kind of virus.
To add even more strangeness to this story, about
once a year or so I develop a strange sore spot on my
bottom. It is tender to touch for a day or so, then it's
sometimes itchy. I just had this happen last week.
Because I am so paranoid about this whole herpes
thing, this morning I took a look at the area. It is ever so
slightly red and there are a few small dots that are like
tiny scabs there. Okay, this MUST be herpes right? Like
the little blisters were probably there and now they are
healing over.
I am really freaking out here, and yet I keep thinking,
how could I test negative for both herpes viruses and
get all this strange stuff and weird coincindences? I
plan on going to the doctor again but dread paying the
high fees for the tests again!
I guess my question is, is it possible to test negative for
herpes antibodies even if you have it?
In Reply to: Herpes test posted by Katie on October 26, 2002 at 20:49:35:
Hi,Katie.
There are just as many false negatives as false positives. A blood test alone is a poor way to make the diagnosis. Any doc knows this. They would have to see the lesion to know what it is. Taking a digital picture of every stage of it, with a macro lens setting, would be VERY helpful to the doc.
You might look at the archives for how to actually get rid of this.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Herpes test posted by Katie on October 26, 2002 at 20:49:35:
Hi, Thanks for sharing your story.
Just wanted to point out a couple of things about herpes:
People with herpes *can* spread the virus even without an open, weeping lesion. It's called viral shedding. Therefore, if you do have herpes it's very important that you be honest with your partners, which it sounds like you have been.
I've suffered with this crap from hell for years and have tried everything. Supplementation with selenium, zinc, lysine and vitamin B6, and vitamin C with bioflavinoids help, but three products you may want to look into are: Viraderm, ChoRaphoR, and stabilized liquid oxygen [this last one from neveranoutbreak.com]. All are available on the Internet (do a Google search). The first two are kinda expensive (but no more expensive than chronic acyclovir therapy or buying all those supplements). All can be used for both labial (oral) and genital herpes. Abreva ointment (over the counter) works for my "cold sores" (labial herpes). One more thing you can try is applying hydrogen peroxide to the area of the lesion daily, but I would not rely on this exclusively if I were you. One teaspoon of NATURAL apple cider vinegar (from a health food store) in a glass of water twice per day will normalize the pH of your blood, which in turn will minimize outbreaks.
Diet is very important. Limit intake of carbonated beverages (sodas, beer, Perrier, etc.) because the CO2 gas lowers the body's oxygen levels. Limit your intake of hydrogenated vegetable oils (fried foods, processed foods, etc.). Sugar (including bread and potatoes), meat, and dairy products should be limited as well -- anything which easily breaks down into glucose will acidify the blood.
To relieve stress, exercise and practice some form of SR (see archives).
As to diagnostics, your doc can do a culture of the lesion when you next have one. This is better than the blood antibody test and probably cheaper too. Dr. Stoll is right; he/she should examine the lesion as well, but herpes can be tricky, with various presentations. Mine was misdiagnosed for a long time because of its unusual appearance.
If indeed this is herpes, you should familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the "prodromal" phase, the period immediately preceding outbreaks. These include but are not limited to itching, inflammation [redness], fatigue, etc.
This way you'll be able to tell when an outbreak is on the way.
Taking acyclovir (Zovirax/Valtrex) or some other suppression medication is up to you. While in a relationship it is a good idea to take it because it minimizes (but does not eliminate) viral shedding, so it will protect your partner to some extent. However, it can cause side effects, most notably GI distress, and can adversely affect the liver. There is also an acyclovir ointment available for topical use; you can ask your doc about these options.
Sounds like you have both types I and II, just like I do. This isn't really important as far as therapy goes because it will be the same for each type, but type II lesions are usually more painful and agressive than the type I.
Take care. I empathize with your situation. If I can help you please let me know.
Fellow Sufferer
In Reply to: Herpes test posted by Katie on October 26, 2002 at 20:49:35:
Thanks Doctor Stoll and Fellow Sufferer for your
messages. I went to my OB/GYN this morning who said
she could not tell on visual inspection if the sore was
indeed herpes, but she thought it was strange that A) it
would have healed so fast if it was herpes (only 4 days
from the time that the area felt tender) and B) if it was
an initial outbreak that it would be so mild. That she
said is extrememely rare (although not entirely
impossible). She did tell me that the previous blood
test she did for the antibodies could NOT under any
circumstances be negative if I carried the virus. That
test (it's called HerpesSelect ELISA) is 100% accurate
and produces no false positives or negatives. She
mentioned that older tests did produce false results
however. It's ridiculous to say "never" I know, but she
scoffed at the idea that it could have been wrong in
saying I had no HSV I or HSVII antibodies. People who
have those viruses will show positive for the antibodies
at all times with these newer tests. So at the time I was
tested I did not have the virus. Which means if I have it
now, I was infected AFTER that time. That sets my mind
at ease that I did not infect someone inadvertently.
Anyway, thanks again for you input and suggestions. I
have repeated the blood test and will know in two
weeks what the outcome is this time. Even if the test
wasn't 100% accurate, at least it is less likely to
produce a false result if I do it more than once. After two
years if I had the virus I would think it would show up.
We shall see...
In Reply to: Re: Herpes test. Thanks and a question posted by Katie on October 28, 2002 at 20:03:08:
Thanks, Katie.
News to me. This is the first thing I have ever heard of in medicine that is 100%. I guess it finally had to happen.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Herpes test. Thanks and a question posted by Katie on October 28, 2002 at 20:03:08:
Your not taking in to account for lab technicians who run the tests. They are not above making mistakes, you know. I worked in a lab and I know what goes on and how many mistakes are made. So, in essense, the test can be inaccurate because of the person doing it. There are other factors also, like the solutions that they use and on and on. So, your doctor is flat out wrong.
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