No antibodies found after 5 months...is it conclusive that I do not have genital herpes?
962719
Absolutely not.  The new thinking on herpes is that it is possible to become cured if you go long enough without and outbreak.  However, we are talking something in the order of 10 years without sign of the disease.  5 months?  pffft.  Means nothing.
468511
You are smart. Make sure he is tested for Hepatitis, not just HIV. I would request HSV and VDRL serologies also. These would rule out syphillis and herpes. Repeat these in 3 and 6 months after as well and use condoms.\n\nConsider his willingness to do the testing and allay your fears as a sign that he is committed to the relationship and respects you.
944675
Women with the herpes virus infection can have healthy children despite the infection, and the risk of transmission to the foetus or newborn baby is low, especially if the infection is acquired before or during the first half of the pregnancy. It is important to know that women may shed the virus with or without symptoms and that they are infectious despite the lack of obvious symptoms. Your partner should do a blood test for the herpes virus and if he is negative, then you should consistently use condoms or dental dams.  \nI found this site, you can read more about it.\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/hw/genital_herpes/hw264763.asp
976230
The Herpes virus causes both the outbreak that you can get on your genitals, and also is the cause of coldsores that you get around your mouth (although I've heard that if you have one, you cannot get the other). It is incurable (unfortunatly) but for most people, outbreaks are rare, and in some cases after the initial outbreak, they never have another (although they still carry the virus). It an be transmitted from area to area both on your own body and from person to person. Again in some cases, outbreaks will clear up on their own without any medication, however if an outbreak is severe, or doens't go away you should see your doctor. Your thigh is infected with the virus and outbreaks can be close together. In the same way as coldsores, outbreaks tend to happen when you are stressed or feeling under the weather as your immune system isn't at top levels. To help prevent further outbreaks keep your vitamin intake high, especially vit. C by eating lots of fresh, uncooked fruit and veg and drinking lots of OJ. You will always carry the virus (unless they find a cure) so always use a condom when having sex to prevent further infection to other people and always wash your hands after touching an infected area to prevent further infection on yourself. Also, if the doctor didn't already do it, get checked out for other STDs. Ones like Chlamydia often have no symptoms but can casue infertility and if yuo have Herpes, you may have other STDs.
210630
I am sorry to say but Mike is WRONG:\nThere are two types of Herpes,  Herpes simplex type I or II. Either type can infect the mouth or genitals (if you're really unlucky you can have 4 lifelong infections going at the same time: HSV1 and 2 in the upper body, HSV1 and 2 in the lower body. This would be very rare). When your incfected, the virus "hides" in the nervous system between outbreaks. It will protect you from a new infection of the same type, not of another type.\nOnly about 25% of Americans over the age of 12 DO NOT have antibodies against one of the two (standard test for exposure and infection).\nHSV1 is extremely prevalent (very easy to pass on, quite innocently, just by an injudicious kiss to a baby). Most everybody (up to 90% of the population) has antibodies against HSV1 by the time they're 50.\nAbout 20 to 30% of the population has antibodies against HSV2, more women than men (infection is easier for females), but HSV1 is fast becoming a major cause of genital herpes.\nMost people with HSV1 have just "fever blisters". Some have it bad, a terrible rash from the nose down to the chest, inside the mouth, it looks like a case of pox. It can last a few days to over a week. Genital herpes is basically the same on the genitals, blisters and lesions, individually different how bad. \n\nNow about transmission: It mostly happens when you have a blister/blisters going, through direct skin-to-skin contact. Avoid physical contact with the area from the time of the first symptoms (tingling, itching, burning) until all sores are completely healed, not just scabbed-over. Also try to prevent self-infection to other areas of your body. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch a sore. Better yet, don't touch the sores.\nUnfortunately, the virus can sometimes  spread , when no signs or symptoms are present. This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission." Often people don't know they are infected, these people may have symptoms so mild they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes. They can also spread it. Still, asymptomatic transmission appears to be far less likely than spreading the virus when lesions are present.
781959
The IgG test is looking for antibodies in the blood to HSV-2.  It does take time for the antibodies to develop following the first infection with the virus. I do not know if it 6-8wks, I am assuming that this is what the doctor told her.  It is possible that she was negative previously.  Example: a woman presents with her first outbreak of genital herpes.  culture of the genital blisters confirms the presence of herpes, but her blood test does not show any IgG antibodies yet, but will in the future.  So, if your friend was known to be negative HSV-2 IgG around 6-8 wks ago and now is positive it is a recent infection. I would be wary of using her services.  most herpes infections are transmitted when no lesions are present and condoms do not protect from herpes.
233242
The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. \n\nBUT:\nRemember, most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced.\n\nHerpes infections can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Blood tests, which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection, may be helpful, although the results are not always clear-cut. \n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm\n\n\nAbout one in four adults in the United States has genital herpes. However, most people don’t know they are infected because their symptoms are too mild to notice or mistaken for another condition.  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn.cfm
743393
Yes it is possible that they could have herpes for decades and you would not get it. \n\nGenerally herpes only spreads when there is an outbreak, but it can also spread when an outbreak is going to occur (a tingling itchy feeling where the sore is going to appear).\n\nThe previous poster was wrong when they mentioned you need not worry about oral herpes. Oral herpes can spread to the genitals, and vice versa, during oral sex. \n\nThere is nothing that you need to be fearful about as long as you guys are careful when you touch in those areas. \n\nAnd really, you'd be surprised how many people have herpes anyhow. It really is not big deal in certain countries, as it is so widespread. And hey, it's just a cold sore and a slight decrease in immune functions...it could be way worse. \n\nMy last gf had it and we were together for years with no problems. If you honestly love this person, this really shouldn't be an issue at all. Hell, even if you just want to shack up with them for awhile it shouldn't be an issue hehe.
53215
There may have been trace amounts of the antibodies in your system but not enough to determine for sure if you have HIV or not, also, it may have been taken to soon after contracting the virus, you should take another test soon. If you do have the antibodies, that means you have the virus, cuz antibodies are only present in your blood when they are trying to fight off something in your body. \n\nI hope things turn out right for you, GOOD LUCK
792121
Sounds like a simple answer, right? Nope. \n1. No one that is sexually active can say that they are "clean." For several STD's there are no tests/ways to screen. \n   A. Genital Herpes--there is no way to screen/test for it unless someone has sores present and then those sores are cultured. 1 in 5 Americans have genital herpes and many of them do not know it because they have never had sores but they still have the virus, which they got from a sex partner, who may also have not know that he/she had it. Anyone sexually active has probably been exposed to it at some point because it is so common. So, if someone is sexually active there is no way to know for sure that someone does not have it.\n   B. HPV, the virus that causes genital warts and cellular changes on the cervix--similiar to genital herpes there is no way to screen/test for it unless someone has ever had warts/symptoms. Again, anyone sexually active has probably been exposed to it and may also have it and not know it--it is very common. \n  C. HIV--If someone contracts HIV it can take 3-6 months for the virus to be detected through testing, so a negative test today is not a definative test. A negative test today would be considered negative for 6 months ago and before.\n   D. Trichomoniasis--Only women can be screened for this STD, there is no way to screen/test men for it. Men only receive treatment for it when their partner comes back positive. \nThus, no one can say they are "clean" because they can not be tested for all STD's. \n2. The herpes virus can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals and from the genitals to the mouth (though this pathway is much less common and not as easy to occur). Oral cold sores are caused by a herpes virus, if a partner with a cold sore performs oral sex on a partner they could very easily give their partner genital herpes. And, in this situation neither partner had genital herpes to start with beforehand. And, in many couples this type of herpes transmission occurs when both partner are virgins--never having intercourse, but having oral sex. Yet, on partner has a oral cold sore, performs oral sex on their partner and the other partner contracts genital herpes. Thus, here is a situation when virgins can contract an STD. When a partner has a cold sore they should not let their cold sore come into contact with their partner's mouth/lips etc or their partner's genitals to protect their partner.\n  Because there is no way to say that someone is clean and also because STD's can occur between two people w/o and STD and two virgins, regarding herpes, it would always be wise to pratice safer sex, get regular STD screenings for those infections that can be screened for and always talk openly with your partner about your health history and your comfort level.\nashastd.org\nplannedparenthood.org
467807
About one in four adults in the United States has genital herpes. However, most people don’t know they are infected because their symptoms are too mild to notice or mistaken for another condition.  A person may show symptoms within days after contracting genital herpes, or it may take weeks, months, or years. For this reason, it can be difficult for people to know when and from whom they may have contracted the virus.
1142565
It is definitely possible that he gave it to you. Also, you don't have an outbreak of HPV, you have outbreaks of the herpes virus. You can get genital warts from HPV but it is not considered an outbreak. People can have HPV for years and never show any signs or symptoms. I have had HPV for about 5 years now. After a year of having it I developed cervical cancer and about 6 months ago I got genital warts. So it can take months, if not years to develop any symptoms. HPV is a virus, it will stay with you the rest of your life. The only thing you can do is treat the symptoms, but you will always have the virus.\n\nMen usually show no symptoms of having the STD and spread it very easily to women. There is no test currently for men to detect the virus, usually men find out they have it is by developing genital warts, hand or feet warts. So for him to try and sue you for it is not going to work. There is no way for him to prove you gave it to him or a women from a previous relationship he was in.
827101
You don't have "herpes" in the STD sort of sense...\n\nThere are many types of herpes--Simplex 1,  Simplex 2, chicken pox, and shingles.  It is a virus that always stays with you...it is not a bacteria.\n\nOral Herpes--which most humans have--is simplex 1.  The cold sore or fever blister comes out during stress or colds--i.e. fever blister or cold sore.  The virus becomes active during stress or colds because your resistance is down at that time.\n\nGenital Herpes--Simplex 2--causes sores on the genitals.\n\nChicken Pox-Most people get this at some point in their life.\nShingles--causes pain in an area around nerves--older people tend to get this.\n\nI don't know of any other way to get a fever blister other than having simplex 1 or 2.  However, the virus that causes oral herpes is very common, almost everyone has it and in many people it does not show up very often.  In some people it shows up as a canker sore on the inside of the mouth...so people don't ever see it just feel that they ate too many crunchy chips or something.\n\nJust don't pick at it or touch your genitals after touching your mouth--oral herpes in rare instances can be transferred to the genital area.
685427
Yes, you can spread herpes even if you never have any symptoms. \nThere are cases where a person can have the herpes virus and show little or no symptoms, often referred to as asymptomatic herpes.\n\nIt is possible for a person to carry the virus without knowing that they have it, in fact, up to 80% of people who are infected with HSV-2 show no signs of the infection. So it is possible for a person to unwittingly transmit the infection to their partner.\n\nThe symptoms of the infection vary greatly between individuals. It might be totally unnoticeable in one person, but cause severe blistering in their partner.\n\nThe herpes virus can lay dormant for various time periods, and may be in your system for a time period before any symptoms begin to show. The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the initial exposure to the virus.\n\nThe virus can remain inactive in the body for long periods. Most of the time when Herpes sores are not present on the skin the virus remains in a latent (inactive) state in the central nervous system, where it does no damage.\n\nWhen the virus reactivates (wakes up), it travels nerve paths to the surface of the skin, sometimes causing an outbreak of symptoms.
792838
i don't think so. it takes a few weeks for a herpes infection to set into a new person, so you wouldn't notice blisters in a few days.
191235
What you really need to do is see a doctor.  Unfortunately, nothing can CURE herpes, but you CAN help yourself.  A doctor can let you know just what YOU should do... if you need to go on suppressive therapy (which studies show works quite well, half of all people who took it in a year trial were outbreak free in 6 months, a third were outbreak free for the whole year).  And if you DO think you have it, and are feeling lost, you should know that 1/5 of the American population actually has HSV (herpes), and a lot of them don't even know it.  (chances are, one of your close friends may have it). And I think it's like, 70% of the population who has ORAL herpes (cold sores).  For some reason, those are more socially acceptable in our society, even though it's ALMOST the same disease.  There are definately worse things that could happen to a person than this.  Plus, there are many studies going on as we speak, that perhaps one day WILL yield a cure to herpes... or at least even better treatments.  PLUS, studies also show that the longer you HAVE genital herpes, the less frequent the outbreaks get, and the less severe.  So, the advice I hope you follow... 1) see a doctor.  That should be the first step, if you haven't had it diagnosed, it's even possible its NOT herpes 2) Read up on it.  Learning more about an affliction can help you deal.  Good luck!
982486
get tested immediately- know that you could have had it way before him. Symptoms aren't obvious and they don't always show.  I have heard that 80% of women carry the virus nowadays, so there is no  way to track it to one partner.  Protect yourself!