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How do I find out if I have Herpes

If symptoms of genital herpes appear, they can vary widely from person to person. If a person does experience visible symptoms, we recommend obtaining a culture test within the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. Beyond 48 hours, there is a risk of receiving a false negative test result because symptoms may have begun to heal.

Blood tests can be used when a person has no symptoms but has concerns about having herpes. There are many blood tests available, but many are not always accurate. Many standard blood tests cannot accurately distinguish between type-1 and type-2 herpes and can sometimes mistake other herpes viruses (such as chicken pox) for the herpes simplex virus.

There are several blood tests that can give accurate results for herpes. Like commercial tests, these tests cannot determine whether the infection is oral or genital. However, since most cases of genital herpes are type 2, a positive type 2 result most likely indicates genital herpes.

These accurate tests are:
  • HSV-1 and HSV-2 tests from Focus Technologies (formerly MRL Diagnostics).
  • Herpes Western Blot
  • POCkit® HSV 2 Rapid Test
The test from Focus Technologies is HerpeSelect™, and is a laboratory test that requires blood to be drawn and sent off for results. The accuracy of these tests is very good. If you are interested in HerpeSelect™ you can log on to www.focusanswers.com or call (800) 445-4032.

The Herpes Western Blot can accurately distinguish between type-1 and type-2. If you are interested in the Herpes Western Blot, you can have your doctor call the University of Washington at Seattle at 1-206-598-6066.

The POC in Diagnology's POCkit® stands for "Point Of Care", which means the test can be done in a doctor's office. It can provide results HSV-2 in less than 10 minutes. If you are interested in POCkit®, you can log onto www.pockit.com, or you can have your doctor call Diagnology, the manufacturer of POCkit®, at 1-877-776-2548.

Blood Test Quick Reference Guide

How can someone reduce the risk of contracting genital herpes?

Any sexually active person may contract genital herpes. Ways to reduce risk include:
  • If someone has a symptom around the mouth (oral herpes), she or he should not perform oral sex until all signs have healed.
  • If someone has signs or symptoms around the genital region (genital herpes), he or she should not have sexual activity until all signs have healed.
  • When there are no symptoms present, using latex condoms for genital-to-genital contact reduces the risk of transmission.
  • Microbicides/Spermicides have not been proven to reduce the risk of transmission. If used, they should be used with a condom, not in place of one.
  • Partner communication. It is important for both partners to become educated about herpes and to make decisions together about which precautions are best.

Articles: Herpes
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