herpes

[wewannano]

my husband and i got tested for STDs the other day and everything was negative... but we didn't have a blood test done, so i know that we should do the HIV testing still... BUT my main question is... did i get tested for Herpes or is that also a blood test... i think the doctor said that was fine... the only reason i am worried is that i told a guy that i am clean for oral and would hate to think that i am not since he trusts me...

[DBL D]

I can't imagine that you got and "STD" test without bloodwork. Most are ONLY detectable through your blood.

Btw...I think the figure is around 70% for Herpes Simplex #1 that's exhibited orally...Experts...correct me, please, if I'm wrong. Probably got that from our first days of making out. Who'd a thunk it?

Male D

[wewannano]

I called the Doctor to double check and she said she tested us and that we were negative... maybe i need a different doctor??

[JustAskJulie]

Did you ask the dr specifically what they tested you for? And more specifically if they tested you for herpes?

[tribbles]

I know there is a blood test for Herpes antibodies which means you have the virus. Non-blood tests are swabs and usually only test + if there are sores present at the time of the swab.

Maybe they have a new swab that tests for the virus cuz it does shed from the skin without sores?

I would say ask for copies of the test results...then google each term in the test.

[SueRic]

Most clinics now use Orasure and Oraquik saliva tests for HIV, with blood testing as a follow-up confirmation after an initial positive result. Perhaps your doctor administered a saliva HIV test.

R

[LFM2]

Our clinic uses blood for HIV, Hep A, Hep B, Hep C, Syphilis, Herpes.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be detected through a urine sample.

HPV can be detected either by visual inspection, blood testing and yearly PAP smears.

I'm sure there are more, but can't really think of them at the moment.

Schools started again for me, and my mind is toast from all the reading I've been doing!!

[Hoot]

[b][i]

Hello Everyone:

Hoot here.

In my experience & with the knowledge that i have, first hand. I will say; STDs, including HV1 & HV2, is detected w/in ones' blood. And you said their was nada blood taken from either of you? No saliva swaps? Hhhhmmmmm...

Although ppl with HV2 in their mouth, can pass it on through their saliva. HV2 can not be transmitted only through sexual intercourse or contact with a surface that someone with a HV2 'sore'(in its' active stage) has touched; i.e. toilet seats, a chair, a car seat, etc.

Now. My question is: Why was their no blood taken? Or saliva? There is NO way any doctor can tell if anyone has HV1 or HV2 w/out a blood test. Beacause for one thing, the virus is located w/in our blood & saliva(of course). The cells that make up this virus is w/in our blood. So why would a doctor NOT take blood to test? Plus, tell you all is negative.

Also, yes, when one goes to their doctor one must ASK for the HV1 & HV2 test(s) to be done. They are not usually part of the prodical.


Hope some of this has helped. If not, maybe i can offer you more info..later. Just let me know. Ask questions. We all learn from each other. And, may i say, sometimes what i learn is ooooooooooo soooooooo delicious..gigs... facelick

Bi Bi for now......


~ Hoot ~

[wewannano]

thanks everybody... its a small after hours walk in clinic, not full service at all... i went in becuz i thought i had an UTI and the hours were really good... we got tested cuz we were there anyway... i think i need to find a more traditional clinic and just take the time off work... anyway I specifically asked her if she tested for herpes and she said yes... but if i need to do a blood test i will go ahead and do that... how long from the last possible exposure do you have to wait?

[Hoot]

If you feel you have been exposed to the HV2 virus you may be tested soon after. Because in some cases, after exposure, one can have a breakout as soon as 8 days prior.

My advice: Get a blood test.

Hoot

[Hoot]

Maybe this info will be helpful.



What is herpes?

- A virus that infects the skin, mouth, and genital areas with painful sores.
How many people have gential herpes?
- Most common STD in the U.S. (45 million people).
- Over 45% of Americans age 12 or over have it.
- 1 million people get genital herpes each year in the U.S.

How does someone get genital herpes?

- Herpes Simplex 2 (HS2) is an STD, and Herpes Simplex 1 (HS1) is not...it's airborn.
- HS2 typically causes genital infections, but it can also cause oral infections that can then be spread by non-sexual activities like kissing.
- HS1 usually causes oral herpes infections, but it can be transmitted to the genitals via oral sex, thereby becoming an STD.
- It is commonly spread by skin-to-skin contact.
- In addition to herpes infection in the oral and genital areas, herpes may also occur on the abdomen, thighs, hands and other areas.
- The greatest risk factor for genital herpes infection is the total number of lifetime sexual partners a person has had.
- Women seem to be at greater risk for infection than men.

What are the symptoms?

- 6-7 days after sex: fever, headache and muscle aches.
- 8 days after sex: sores appear in the area of exposure.
- These sores usually begin as small blisters, which break and become ulcers.
- The ulcers are painful and often burn or itch.
- Other genital symptoms include burning with urination, vaginal or penis discharge and tender swollen lymph nodes in the groin area.
- Symptoms of the initial infection typically resolve within two to three weeks.
- Recurrent outbreaks of herpes sores are common.
- Unfortunately, as many as 90% of people with genital herpes do not know they are infected.

How is genital herpes treated?

- There is no cure for genital herpes.
- Treatment with anti-viral medications reduces the pain and length of symptoms.
- Long-term treatment with these medications can decrease the amount of breakouts.

What else do I need to know about genital herpes?

- People with genital herpes are at increased risk of HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS.
- They may also be more likely to spread HIV to others.
- Mothers with genital herpes can transmit the infection to their newborn infants, especially if the mother has a first-time outbreak when giving birth.
- Infected newborns are quite sick and often die.

How can I avoid getting genital herpes?

Abstinence from sexual activity - including oral sex - or lifetime faithfulness to one uninfected partner is the only certain way for you to avoid being infected sexually. If you have already been sexually active, you need to be tested for STDs.

http://www.makethebestchoice.org/Stu...TDherpes.shtml

[Hoot]

Take a peek @ this web site. Good info!

http://www.herpeshealth.com/about_he...ave_herpes.asp

Hoot

[plazmikgurl]

Didn't see it on here and just wanted everyone to know, my doctor told me that testing for herpes isnt accurate because false positives occur too often. if you have even had a cold sore before they test may come pack positive. just thought this was good information for everyone to know.

[lookingfornow]

Everybody has to do their own research on STDs before starting to play. When my SO and I first investigated playing, we spent a lot of time learning about the risks so that we could make informed decisions about how we are playing. This is what we learned about herpes and testing....

Herpes testing--I mean real accurate testing for herpes--is very, very expensive. Accordingly, unless you have an outbreak or have had a recent exposure to a known carrier, your doctor simply will not order the sensitive PCR DNA test. In fact, even if you have been exposed, the doctor will probably still resist ordering the really accurate test unless you have a really, really good medical plan.

Why? Because there is little cost benefit to the medical plans in an accurate and timely diagnosis (sad, but true). The drugs are still relatively expensive and only really beneficial for patients who have repeated outbreaks.

In most individuals, herpes is asymptomatic (meaning you never know you have it). You may never have a noticeable outbreak or you may have one outbreak and never have another. Only a relatively small percentage of the population has outbreaks severe enough to warrant and benefit from drug therapy (though the drug manufacturers would have you think otherwise).

Doctors don't really want to know whether you are suffering from an asymptomatic case of herpes (because you might insist upon the drug that you will never need and because it might unnecessarily depress you). So, doctors are not agressive in testing for herpes unless you have an outbreak. Only a small percentage of the infected population has outbreaks. And, if a test is ordered, it is generally one of the tests that depends upon an outbreak being in progress to yield a positive result.

This is why such a large percentage of the population is infected--AND DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IT.

And, just because your doctor says he has tested you and you are clean, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU REALLY ARE CLEAN!!!!

Unless you have had a PCR DNA test, you really don't know if you are clean. Further, the PCR DNA test is so sensitive that it can detect anti-bodies to the virus even when there is no live virus present. You can develop antibodies from an exposure to the virus that does not lead to a full blown infection. Accordingly, just because a PCR DNA test is positive, you still don't know for sure whether you have Herpes. At best, you know that you have been exposed to the virus.

The only way to KNOW you have herpes is if you have an outbreak and the presence of the virus is confirmed either by culture or other means. It is very, very difficult to KNOW that you do not have herpes.

For more information on testing, please check out....

http://www.herpes.org/herpesinfo/dia...ctesting.shtml

From our perspective, herpes is out there and we recognize that condoms do not provide a complete protection. Further, there are plenty of people playing that believe that they are D/D free when they are not (and they don't even know it). So there is a substantial risk that one of us will contract herpes over time. And, if one of us gets it, the other will likely get it, too.

In our minds, herpes is not a sufficient concern to stop playing. We are much more concerned about HIV. Thankfully, HIV is much harder to communicate and condoms are much more effective at preventing the spread.

[magnum]

Originally Posted by wewannano

my husband and i got tested for STDs the other day and everything was negative... but we didn't have a blood test done, so i know that we should do the HIV testing still... BUT my main question is... did i get tested for Herpes or is that also a blood test... i think the doctor said that was fine... the only reason i am worried is that i told a guy that i am clean for oral and would hate to think that i am not since he trusts me...

The doctor should have told you exactly what she was testing you for and the name of the test. They must draw blood for herpes.

I had the "western block/blot" test for herpes, it is 99% aqurate. I was negative for simplex #2.

I think you are correct in that 70% have simplex #1.