Conflicting Blood Test Results for Herpes: A Patient's Journey - Urology

Blood test report issues?

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Dr.
Hsu: Thank you for your time.
The content is lengthy, and I appreciate your help.
About five to six months ago, after having sexual relations, I experienced sudden pain in the skin of my scrotum two months later (I checked myself at that time but could not identify any abnormalities).
I then visited a urologist, who asked if I had engaged in sexual activity, to which I replied yes.
The doctor suggested that blood tests are the most accurate way to check for any infections.
After having blood drawn that day, I had to wait a week for the results, so I went to a medical laboratory the next day for another blood test.
Three days later, the lab report indicated the presence of herpes.
However, four days later, the clinic's report showed everything was normal.
The doctor explained that my scrotal skin issues might be due to friction causing inflammation (I had indeed been jogging during that time, but I did not mention this to the doctor).
I showed the medical laboratory report to the doctor, who explained that my clinical symptoms did not resemble herpes.
He stated that herpes can be diagnosed not only through blood tests but also through clinical examination.
He reassured me that my symptoms did not appear to be herpes and advised me not to self-diagnose based solely on lab results.

Later, I returned to the original medical laboratory for further testing, and three days later, the report still indicated herpes.
I then went directly to the urology department at Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU).
After reviewing the reports and examining me, the doctor also stated that my symptoms did not resemble herpes and conducted another blood test (note: I am unsure if both IgM and IgG were tested).
The doctor informed me that I did not have an infection.
Given the hospital's findings and the opinions of both the urology clinic and KMU urologist, who all agreed that my symptoms did not resemble herpes, I also visited the urology department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
Although they did not conduct blood tests, the doctor there also said my symptoms did not appear to be herpes and suggested that my scrotal skin issues might be due to dermatitis or eczema.
Eventually, I consulted a dermatologist, and my scrotal skin problem resolved.
The dermatologist did not diagnose me with herpes either (I did not ask the dermatologist, but they mentioned it could be contact dermatitis).

After that experience, I thought that since I had seen urologists and dermatologists, and none of them diagnosed me with herpes, it might just be that different laboratories have varying testing methods, and perhaps I am indeed healthy, as all the doctors indicated that my symptoms did not resemble herpes.
During this time, some doctors mentioned that while the data may not be inaccurate, different laboratories might have discrepancies in their testing methods.
They advised me not to focus too much on the report results, as it appeared to them that I was dealing with a common skin issue and not herpes.
So, I was able to put my mind at ease and stopped worrying about it.

Currently, after four months (which is just a few weeks ago), I suddenly developed many rashes on my groin, and my penis became itchy, leading me to scratch it until the skin broke (there are two bumps at the site of the broken skin, but I am unsure if they are blisters; I tried to squeeze them, but nothing came out.
The surrounding skin is red and occasionally oozes serous fluid.
If I do not touch the broken skin, there is no pain, just an itchy sensation.
I only feel slight pain when scratching or when walking causes friction.
The appearance of the broken skin on my penis is quite different from the images of herpes I found online).
I went to a different urology clinic this time (note: I have only seen licensed doctors, all of whom I verified to be from hospitals, and I have not engaged in sexual activity since then).
The results of this examination showed that the doctor (who is from a veterans hospital) did not provide much feedback, only prescribing some topical medications.
While I was there, I thought about getting another blood test, considering the possibility of a window period.
It had been five to six months since my last test, so I thought the results should be conclusive.
I went to the medical laboratory the next day for testing (at a different lab than before).

This time, the clinic report indicated herpes, while the medical laboratory showed everything was normal.
I then went to the Kaohsiung City United Hospital's urology department, KMU's infectious disease department, and another urology clinic (also run by a KMU doctor).
After showing them my clinical symptoms, they all said it did not resemble herpes and that I was overthinking it.
The KMU infectious disease department did not conduct a clinical examination but stated that results can vary between laboratories.
They assured me that I did not have herpes symptoms and advised me not to worry about the data.
The infectious disease doctor also mentioned that when results from simultaneous tests show one positive and one negative, the negative result is usually more reliable.

Although every doctor I consulted said my symptoms did not resemble herpes, I am still concerned about the report data (currently, I have had two tests from the same laboratory showing positive, one from a different urology clinic showing negative, one from KMU showing negative, and one from another laboratory also showing negative, resulting in a tie of three positives and three negatives).
However, all the doctors, whether from clinics or hospitals, have told me that my symptoms do not resemble herpes and are likely just a common skin issue.
This includes the doctor from the clinic that reported a positive result; after I showed him my laboratory report, he only advised me to continue monitoring my condition.
After reviewing the report, he did not confirm that it was herpes (note: before the blood test results came out, during my first visit, he also did not say it was herpes, even though every doctor told me it did not resemble herpes, just a skin issue).
However, with the test results being three positives and three negatives, I keep wondering whether I have herpes.
Although every doctor says it does not seem like it, the test reports are tied three to three, so I am unsure whether to trust the doctors or the reports.

Finally, I understand that herpes cannot be completely cured and that once healed, it remains in the body and may reappear when the immune system is compromised.
I just want to know if I have herpes and whether the herpes virus is present in my body.
Dr.
Hsu, is there a reliable method to determine whether I have it or not? If my body does have the herpes virus, I would like to know so I can take preventive measures against future outbreaks.
I also do not want to unknowingly transmit it to my partner, and of course, I hope I am healthy.
I know that the herpes virus can be transmitted to a partner regardless of whether symptoms are present, which is why I want to confirm whether I have it or not.
Dr.
Hsu, which testing method is the most accurate? I am willing to undergo any type of testing.
I hope you can help me resolve this long-standing issue, as it has been a source of great distress for me.
Thank you again for your patience in reading this lengthy message.

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qq, 50~59 year old female. Ask Date: 2012/02/18