Experienced potential initial outbreak of genital herpes (red sores, rash and a few blisters. All of this was only on the inner thighs and not on my actual genitals). These started to appear roughly 14 days after I last had sex and could have been potentially exposed/contracted genital herpes. Had an igG blood test done roughly 1 week later at peak of visible symptoms (22 days after initial potential exposure/contracting) which came back negative. And then I had another test done 11 days later when rash/sores/blisters were starting to heal and fade (33 days after initial potential exposure/contracting) which also came back negative.  I’ve read online that antibodies may not be present for up to 6 months or more after contracting the virus. Is this only if you are asymptomatic? Would it be possible for a false negative, during an initial outbreak, with an igG blood test when when visible symptoms are present (sores/rash/blisters)? Trying to figure out if I should get retested again at the 6 month mark from potential exposure or if 2 negative results during the life cycle of a potential initial outbreak should suffice. And I’m not certain I’ve been exposed, but basing it off potential visible symptoms and the last time I had sex. 

So to abbreviate the question: Essentially, is it possible for antibodies NOT to be present during an initial genital herpes outbreak (occurring during the first 3-6 weeks since exposure) with noticeably visible symptoms (rash, sores, and blisters) which would produce a false negative on a blood test (igG herpes select)?

One WOULD be antibody negative with a brand new infection - you might have skin lesions present but not enough time has gone by to have made antibody.  However, the location of your initial symptoms don't fit well with genital herpes, to me.  It sounds more like quite a fungal infection to me.  You can retest at the 12 weeks mark and if negative, be 92% certain that you don't have HSV 2.  The IgG test picks up 92% of HSV 2 infections compared to the gold standard western blot.  It would be wise not to take antiviral medication during that waiting time as it can influence the test.---

Hi Terri, 

Or would the western blot be more accurate down the road compared to the igG or PCR Blood test (assuming no future symptoms that I described end up coming back)? I'm hoping this was just something fungal (side note: I also put athlete's foot cream and bandages on the area of blisters, irritated skin/rash with possible sores for several days during the peak of the symptoms occuring in case it was jock itch).  Wasn't really sure what to do at the time, and didn't know if it could spread if I didn't cover it.

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