99% sure my baby's rash was herpes but test came back negative

[August21yellowbaby]

My 5 month old got covered in a blistering/cluster rash.

The resemblance to my partners cold sores was uncanny

My partner hasn't had a cold sore since before baby was born BUT my father in law kissed baby around 10 days before whilst he had an active cold sore (I was not there when it happened, my partner told me the other day because he didn't want me to worry unnecessarily)

My baby was in agony with the sores. The hospital finally agreed they thought it was herpes virus and did swabs but this was on day 5 when the sores had all popped and dried.

Test is negative but even the nurse who took the swabs said she thought they were too dry to get an accurate result

My baby has been on antiviral medication (aciclovir) all week and the last day is tomorrow

I'm really worried about either a reoccurrence or my baby passing it to my 3 year old

Is there a private test I can do or is the nhs swab all there is?

Can’t believe someone with an active cold sore would kiss a baby. Cruel and nasty

I have no idea whether you can get private blood tests for babies, and it seems like a terrible idea to put baby through it just to find out, but as far as I understand it you can test for two types of antibody to herpes.

If your baby has been effectively treated, is there a specific reason that upu want confirmation of what caused it?