Can you have herpes but test negative?

Can you have herpes but test negative?

A negative (normal) test most often means you have not been infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. If the infection occurred very recently (within a few weeks to 3 months), the test may be negative, but you may still be infected. This is called a false negative.

What does a negative HSV-2 supplemental test mean?

HSV-2: Indicative of genital infection; cannot determine whether virus is active.2. Negative. Indicates not infected with genital herpes; or infected but not seroconverted (primary. infection).

Can you have HSV-2 without positive test?

The chances of false positive results increase as the likelihood of the infection decreases in the person being tested. False positive HSV-2 results can happen, especially in people who are at low risk for a herpes infection.

Can you test negative for herpes without an outbreak?

If you have the herpes virus and your body has produced antibodies, it can be detected on a blood test, even if you have no symptoms. The only time the virus might not be detected on a test (after you’ve contracted it) is if you’ve been tested too early.

Can a swab test for herpes be wrong?

Herpes tests can be wrong, but it is much more common for them to give a false negative (because we are swabbing a herpes sore that is already healing up), than for the test to give a false positive. It sounds like in your case you did have an active sore when you got tested, and the swab found HSV-1 in the sore.

What is the most accurate test for herpes?

PCR test: The PCR test can tell if you have genital herpes even if you don’t have symptoms. The PCR test looks for pieces of the virus’s DNA in a sample taken from cells or fluids from a genital sore or the urinary tract. This is a commonly used test to diagnose genital herpes and is very accurate.

How long does it take for HSV-2 to show up in blood?

The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 4 days (range, 2 to 12) after exposure. The vesicles break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal after the initial herpes infection. Experiencing these symptoms is referred to as having a first herpes “outbreak” or episode.

How accurate are blood tests for HSV-2?

Herpes blood tests, also known as herpes serologic tests, are available for both types of the virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Type-specific glycoprotein G-based serologic tests are designed to detect whether there are any antibodies to the herpes virus in the blood. Blood tests have a sensitivity of about 80-98% for HSV-2.

Are HSV-2 tests accurate?

Blood tests have a sensitivity of about 80-98% for HSV-2.