I was involved with a woman for about 10 months and there was not much we did not do sexually together. After 10 months, I find out that she "may" have herpes but I never witnessed any outbreaks of any kind, even after reading up on what they may look like. I immediately went and had an igG blood test as well as testing for any other STD's. I came back negative on all counts and have not been sexually active with this person since October 7th of this year. Once she was informed that she may have it also, she went and had the same tests done and she came back with positive results for Type 1 and 2. MY QUESTION; should I bank on the results of my test or am I still not in the clear? I do not know how long it takes for this virus to show up in a persons blood test and am worried about when I will know for certain that I am either in the clear or a victim of a mistake. The blood test was taken about a week after the last sexual encounter but we were very sexually active for 10 months prior to this. I am either extremely lucky or the virus has not had enough time to show up in a blood test for me? Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
That is a very good sign that you tested negative after 10 months of being together! To be absolutely sure, however, you should probably test 3-4 months after your last possible date of exposure (Oct 7).
If the IgG antibody test for HSV-1/2 comes back a clear negative again after 3-4 months, then you can count yourself free of HSV. At 3 months, IgG antibody test results should be very accurate, and by 4 months, conclusive.
More info: From what I've read about HSV-1/2 antibody testing, the virus can be *possibly* detected at 2-4 weeks, most likely detected at 6-12 weeks, with highest accuracy at 12-16 weeks. So your negative test is reassuring but not conclusive, since you could only have tested within the last 1-3 weeks from your last sexual encounter on Oct 7.
If all is neg you should consider yourself a lucky camper or perhaps it is a case that you have an excellent immune system, either way if I were you I think I would spend a fiver on a National Lottery ticket if I were that lucky.
Thank you for the info. Not sure if I should feel relieved quite yet. I will certainly get checked again in another 13 weeks. Crossing my fingers....
I think it is definitely a very good sign, although you are not fully in the clear. However, fingers crossed you test negative again at 3-4 months!