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Who should be tested for herpes?
This is a question I am often asked, and my opinion may not match everyone's on this topic, but here it is anyway.
If you've had a partner in the past who has had herpes, you might want to find out if you got infected and didn't know it.
If your current partner has herpes, and you are wondering how to reduce the risk of transmission, the first step is to determine that you are indeed, not infected! Why go to all the trouble to reduce transmission risk when you may already have the virus, and would need to make no changes in your sexual practices to accommodate your partner's herpes?
If you have had lesions or sores or breaks in the skin in the past, and they have been swabbed for herpes and you've had negative swabs, you need a blood test to confirm that you are actually not infected. Swab tests often have false negative results, and you can take the extra step to find out that you actually are or are not infected.
If you have new symptoms, and you want to know if this is actually your first infection or reactivation of an old one, you can use a combination of swab test and blood test to sort that out. If you have a positive swab test for HSV 2, let's say, and a negative antibody blood test for HSV 2, that tells you this is your first infection. You've got virus present on the skin, but have not yet had a chance to develop antibody to the virus - it is too soon, because this is your very first infection.
If you've had a clinician look at your genitals and tell you by physical exam that you have genital herpes, you may wish to get an antibody test to confirm that diagnosis and/or determine whether you have HSV 1 or HSV 2 - you can't tell from a look.
If you are pregnant, you may wish to know if you have herpes or not. This test is not usually included in pregnant screening - this is a topic to raise with your OB provider, if you wish. If you are starting a new relationship or coming out of an old one and would like to know which, if any STDs you bring to the table, so to speak, antibody testing for HSV is important to be comprehensive, and often isn't included in routine STD screens.
So there are a few ideas for you about who may benefit from antibody testing for herpes. Be certain you get IgG testing, not IgM testing, and that it is truly type specific - there are good and not good blood tests for herpes. Feel free to post on the message board if you have questions about antibody testing.
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If you've had a partner in the past who has had herpes, you might want to find out if you got infected and didn't know it.
If your current partner has herpes, and you are wondering how to reduce the risk of transmission, the first step is to determine that you are indeed, not infected! Why go to all the trouble to reduce transmission risk when you may already have the virus, and would need to make no changes in your sexual practices to accommodate your partner's herpes?
If you have had lesions or sores or breaks in the skin in the past, and they have been swabbed for herpes and you've had negative swabs, you need a blood test to confirm that you are actually not infected. Swab tests often have false negative results, and you can take the extra step to find out that you actually are or are not infected.
If you have new symptoms, and you want to know if this is actually your first infection or reactivation of an old one, you can use a combination of swab test and blood test to sort that out. If you have a positive swab test for HSV 2, let's say, and a negative antibody blood test for HSV 2, that tells you this is your first infection. You've got virus present on the skin, but have not yet had a chance to develop antibody to the virus - it is too soon, because this is your very first infection.
If you've had a clinician look at your genitals and tell you by physical exam that you have genital herpes, you may wish to get an antibody test to confirm that diagnosis and/or determine whether you have HSV 1 or HSV 2 - you can't tell from a look.
If you are pregnant, you may wish to know if you have herpes or not. This test is not usually included in pregnant screening - this is a topic to raise with your OB provider, if you wish. If you are starting a new relationship or coming out of an old one and would like to know which, if any STDs you bring to the table, so to speak, antibody testing for HSV is important to be comprehensive, and often isn't included in routine STD screens.
So there are a few ideas for you about who may benefit from antibody testing for herpes. Be certain you get IgG testing, not IgM testing, and that it is truly type specific - there are good and not good blood tests for herpes. Feel free to post on the message board if you have questions about antibody testing.
Related Topics:
36 Comments:
Have some question on symptoms of Herpes. Can Herpes cause frequent and urgency in urination? Had Herpes testing done and cam positive of imG (1.23) and negative on iGG tests. Is this test accurate? I don't have any noticeable sore or other symptoms.
How do you tell a new partner that you have herpes?
The last 2 times I have had an outbreak, I have had a pain in my left side of my mid-back. The first time, which was a month or so ago, I thought it was a muscle spasm. Last Thursday I had another herbes outbreak and have had this back ache again. Now I am thinking this is probably caused by the herpes outbreak. It is severe enough that I cannot get comfortable in bed and the pain seems to move around a bit. I have had herpes for about 2 years but never had this as a symptom. In fact the symptoms were so mild I did not realize I had herbes but had a blood test that confirmed it a few months ago. I had not even had to take the medication but am getting some today. Any one else having this symptom? I have done quite a bit of research on symptoms but did not come across this pain in the back!
I know you can catch herpes threw sex, but can you get it from a toliot seat?
I have done research online for a cure for herpes and there are many reported cures including herbal, nutritional supplements, natural and chemical. Would you advise if you are aware of any cures at all even if they do not have a long history of double blind studies? Thank you. 1-7-07, 1:47pm
I just found out that I have Herpes
my partner was just tested and he
also has herpes , we have not had
sexual relations in over a year , he
has had no outbreaks , I just had an
outbreak , my question is it possible to have an outbreak when you haven't been in contact sexually for over a year? Could it take a year for an outbreak to occur? Neither my partner or I had
any sypmtoms prior to my outbreak a
couple of weeks ago and we were not
together sexually then.
For anyone with specific questions about Herpes and their own situation, please post to our Genital Herpes: Terri Warren, RN, ANP message board. :-)
ihave a pelvic infection.and i was curious if you can only get it from having sex?
I need to ask a question, but haven't been able to find the link, so I'll ask it here...I was diagnosed with HPV and had severe cervical dysplasia...I had a cone biopsy 4 years ago and they said they got it all...my family moved and we haven't been able to find a family doctor so I haven't had a pap test since...what are the chances of a reoccurrence? my email is smccormick@personainternet.com
I started reading on Herpes today and it is very alarming how many people have it. Just a few weeks ago, I had the worst period of my life, normally it would have been 4 days, but this one was around 8 days, my cramps were so bad I couldn't sit, stand, or lay down. very discomforting. Since my period a few weeks ago, I noticed yesterday a little discharge and incontnance. If I have to go I better run! Sex a few days ago was a little not normal feeling. Do I need to worry about this... I am just so confused about my period being so strange. Now I am looking up all diseases and getting scared.
can you get pregnant if you have herpes?
Surely you can get pregnant with herpes. There are many women with herpes have negative babies.
I just found out I have herpes and wanted to know can you also get sores under your arm because i have been getting sores under there now for a while and they do not go away. so is it possible for herpes to be under your arm?
I'm having very severe back pain on both sides of my spine with my herpes outbreaks (lower back pain)
also have tiny red spots, just a few on my arms legs and a couple on my breast. Anyone else with these symptoms? Could this be the
valtrex?
My friend had a girlfriend who he was dateing for 7 years who has herpes and not once did he use a condem because he said she didnt have any out breaks or if she felt that she was haveing an out break then they wouldnt have sex, So my question to that is... Can you still get herpes from someone who has herpes even when they dont have an outbreak? Or even if they are takeing medication for herpes like Valtrex? My friend said he hasnt had any kind of outbreak in that 7 years of dateing her so I still want to know if he could still possibly have herpes from his woman even if he has no symptoms or outbreaks of any kind?
To ask questions about your specific situation, please visit our Genital Herpes message board.
I too tested positive for img (.97) and the top end of normal is .90. Test my phisician used was not type specific. How worried should I be and where do I go from here.
can you still have a baby even though you have the herpes virus
JUST A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT... I have had genital herpes for 34 years!!! Have always assumed my former husband brought them back to me from Vietnam. Since my divorce from him, I have been married twice and neither of my husbands contracted herpes from me. One marriage lasted 13 years, another 17 years and still going strong. Between husbands I was sexually active in a couple of long term relationships and NEVER infected my partner. I understand that it is possible to pass this on without having active lesions so I am only talking from MY experience. We never used condoms. You can tell when an outbreak is coming on by the tingling feeling in the local area if it is on the OUTSIDE (not inside the vagina). I keep Valtrex in my medicine cabinet and take it at the first sign. I always feel lethargic and sometimes even feverish. I feel uncomfortable heat (fever) in my lower spine area during an outbreak (the herpes virus stays dormant in the nerves of the lower spine until an outbreak, thus, the pain that radiates from that area - at least this is what I have been told.)
I always told my partners PRIOR to entering into an intimate relationship if I felt it was heading that direction so they could make the choice. If your potential partner truly cares for you, more than just for sex, this will not cause them to end the relationship. From all I have read, condoms are probably the SMART and responsible thing to do. I just want to encourage anyone with this condition that life doesn't stop here... you are worthy of a loving relationship, you can have babies, this doesn't make you a "reject"... You can have a wonderful, full life with LOVE. Also, I have gone as long as 5 years without an outbreak. For a time, when I had frequent outbreaks, I took Lysine supplements which seemed to help.
LIFE IS WONDERFUL...get out there and enjoy!
A little help is just around the corner. If you feel that you have an STD from a former relationship, it is best to be tested at least twice after a break up.
The first 6 months to 12 months is crucial. If you get tested for everything under the sun including Herpes and your tests are negative it is still imperative that a condom is used, because most females show no symptoms where males normally will have symptoms within the first three to six months of infection from an STD/STI regardless of the infection.
For males symptoms normally range from frequent urination with burning and discharge, as well as fever and body aches.
For females there may be little or no symptoms. Most symptoms for females are lower back pain, as well as pain in the pelvic area. There normally will aways be a yeast infection associated with an STD for females. There may be a slight discharge.
With most diseases there is normally a fever and body aches associated with it, as the body tries to fight off the bacterial or viral infection.
It is also important to seek immediate treatment for STD's Or STI's as many STD's may cause several reproductive cancers in both woman and men like ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancers that can make their way to the breasts and endoctorine system. Men may also face prostate cancer that has an excellent cure rate if diagnosed and treated promptly. Most cancers are caused from bacterial microbes that destroy otherwise healthy tissue, but when treated in earlier stages do have an excellent cure rate with no further re-occurence, but when not diagnosed or treated in their early stages have devistating consequences like cancer that will lead to death if not treated in it's primary stage of development. As their are many safe cures out there today it is best to be treated quickly for any STD/STI to prevent cancer or disease in other body organs like the liver, kidney's and spine.
I hope this is helpful to all who have had past relationships that ended. If you leave a bad relationship it is a good idea to obstain from an intimate relationship for at least six months to one year to ensure that you are safe from all STD or STI infections. And if you have one or more than one infection then medication and appropriate treatment may be required by a trained physician.
NEVER try to self diagnose yourself or TREAT yourself for a disease that you may think you have, as many diseases do not react well to ceartain medications/herbs. From past experince after helping many friends who have had STD's from bad relationships, it is best to use condoms at all times unless you are trying to have a child. Even in this case it is best to both get tested prior to an intimate encounter to ensure that you are healthy and safe first, and to ensure the health of your unborn child.
It is always very important to have a complete physical by a trained physician who will do all the appropriate tests to ensure that you and your new partner are healthy and FREE of all STD's/STI's.
Herbs/Antibiotics - If you chose to use herbs instead of dangerous antibiotics that steal healthy bacteria from your body then you can ask your doctor to prescribe more natural medications to cure your specific disease if appropriate for your specific condition(s).
If you use antibiotics then you should also include yogurt and honey - Manuka honey is best, as they both contain beneficial ingredients.
Yogurt has friendly bacteria that will help replace the good flora from your body during treatment time.
Manuka Honey has great benefits as well, as it has many vitamins and minerals that acts as a natural antibiotic. Most bacteria are engorged by the high sugar content, as most bacteria love sugar, but with honey when large amounts are consumed basically the bad bacteria are eliminated by the sugar sea that is created once ingested.
The same holds true for the good bacteria that is derived from yogurt if a substantial amount of good bacteria enter the gut then it is very difficult for bad bacteria to colonize the gut area of our bodies.
It is also important to be checked for STD/STI's As a disease can progress rapidily in the body and harm other bodily organs like the liver, kidney's, as well as the heart and spine.
It is the spine that harbors most viral infections like herpes and other dangerous viral infections that can be treated or controlled successfully by a trained doctor who studies this specific area of medicine. You may want to study Bio-Engineering/Virology that deals with specific viruses.
A specialists is your best bet if you do have a serious illness from a past partner.
The following list that I have included helps stimulate and strengthen the immune system.
Remember to ALWAYS seek immediate medical assistance by a trained specialist if you suspect that you may have an STD/STI. NEVER self medicate or treat yourself without prior consent from your doctor to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the herb or antibiotics that will be used to treat your specific condition.
Here is a herbal list that works well to prevent and may be helpful if used in conjuction with an antibiotic to prevent further re-occurence of a specific disease.
Garlic - an antiviral and antibacterial, as well as an antifungal properties. Sulpur compounds help prevent diseases in blood stream. Used for wound healing including skin cancer.
Onions - an antiviral and antibacterial, as well as an antifungal properties. Sulpur compounds help prevent diseases in blood stream.
Cabbage/Broccolli/Blueberries - an excellent natrual food/antioxidant(s)for the stomach used to prevent stomach cancer.
Oregano oil - an antiviral and antibacterial, as well as an antifungal properties.
Pepermint oil - antibacterial very good for the stomach and keeping mouth clean between dental brushings.
Tea Tree oil - an antiviral and antibacterial, as well as an antifuncal properties.
Echinacea & Golden Seal - an antibacterial and antiviral used during cold flu season and also for stomach problems and wound healing in general. Best used as a tea for optimal absorption.
Milk thistle/Chlorophyll - used for liver and blood cleansing. Excellent herb for riding the body of toxins.
Pau d'arco - used for backache and has antibacterial properties.
Hydrogen Proxide - used to help prevent and treat colds and flus when applied directly in the ears that are the entrance door way for many viral or bacterial infections. Only a few drops in the ear will do the trick during cold and flu season.
Eucalyptus oil - used for chest congestion for those suffering from bronchitis or asthma. Very useful for preventing fungus on the toe nails. Vicks has been very reliable and has been used for years with great success stories. Not sure if it works for everyone, but many have been happy campers that have tried it!
Pycnogenol - An excellent antioxidant that helps to prevent cancer and provides overall good health like blueberries and cherries. A glass of red wine is very rich in antioxidants.
The list is to long to mention all of them, but these herbs are the best for treating many ailements.
An important note to all readers is that you should always check with your physician or a trained natural healer before starting any herbs to ensure that they are safe and effective for you to use in the event that you are allergic to specific herbs or compounds derived from such herbs/medications.
The same holds true for antibiotic medications that is why your doctor will presribe a specific medicine or natural herb treatment that is right for you during your initial visit and further consultations.
Hope I have been helpful, as I have studied natural medicine since I was 12 years old, and have helped many friends over the years.
Enjoy the free knowledge and share it with those you love, and may your new Healthy relationship last for many years!
I didn't know that i had herpes till my husband had outbreak after we had sex... it totally changed our life... he was in the army... he could barely walk or run, so he had to show everybody his d..k and everybody knows that we have it... its very embarrassing... we're trying to have a baby for 10 months now.. but i still have my period every month... i was thinking maybe because of herpes... if ever i get pregnant, will my baby get it? cuz my husband saw baby pictures that has herpes all over his body and i don't want my baby to have it... :(
where are the answers to all these questions
anonymous, the answers to the questions are on Terri's message board.
I never had sex. Can i still get Herpes?
No, it will not cause frequent and urgency in urination. You neet to check with your doctor, trust him/her. Good luck. But it is understandable, many people have those fears when they met such problem, if you are confused, I recommend a support site for you to check more detaisl with the online expert: http://www.stdpal.com. You can ask any questions on this site
I have read on many different web sites that outbreaks are mostly cause by stress. But I have HSV 2. Which is genital herpes and I suffer from many different outbreaks even when I am not stressed out. And I also take Valtrex everyday. But I still have a lot of outbreaks. And I would like to know what is causing this many outbreaks. And how can I prevent them from keep coming back?
I have hsv1 and my partner has hsv2 we been together for three years, we want to have a baby...how can she get pregnant without me catching type 2?
I've had herpes for a little over 20 years and agree with the comment from the woman who's had it for 34 years and I'm encouraged by that comment. It seems now I suffer from joint pain in my right hip at the top, lower back pain and now joint pain in my shoulder as I started to notice an outbreak coming on this week. I wonder if this is something newly related to an outbreak. The back of my left leg used to tingle before an outbreak which alerted me to start my meds but I'm wondering if now it's taken on a different turn when an outbreak occurs. The pain in my leg joint is awful in the morning. I will start meds today and if it goes away, I'll know the reason for this new joint pain. Anyone have these symptoms? I do not take valtrex daily b/c I believe taking it as the symptom starts is the best way (for me). This disease can be managed, you just have to listen to your body, really be in tune with what is happening with your body so as to prevent from spreading it and definitely use condoms. I have been married almost 20 years and used condoms off and on and to date, my husband does not have herpes. Hope this info helps.
I am having feverish feeling without a fever fatigue and lower back pain for more than 2 months and on and off for several years. I have a lot of mouth sore. I want to know what it is.
fever no tempreature. Mouth sore and fatigue for 2 mths. On and Off for years.
Anonymous said....how do I broach the subject with the man I love and adore....? How do I tell him that I have herpes and him be okay with that and not turn and walk out of my life? For the time that we have been together we have not used condoms and I have been on medication off and on...so far he has not shown any symptoms of having herepes. Is there a very good chance that he will not get herpes inbetween my outbreaks?? I have been very careful not to have intercourse with him at the start of an outbreak and sometime after.
about 2 years ago i was told i have HPV and Dysplasia, yesterday my boyfriend found out he has Urethritis, which in women is called Cervicitis. I am 21 and i have 3 kids, i want more as crazy as that sounds, will i be able to in the future? And after treatment for cervictis & dysplasia could HPV cause the to come back? If possible could you post and e-mail me the answers. Thank You! Happy New Year!
i was previously told that if you have hsv1 (that causes cold sores), that you can never get hsv2 (gentital) is this true? is it possible to have both types of hsv, or does one automatically cancel out the other one?
I was told I have herpes in 1984, I used to have outbreaks every few months, I haven't had an outbreak since 1990, so I am confused, do I still have it, I know they say unlike love, herpes if forever, but cripes it's been forever since I have had any outbreaks and my doc tells me there is no definitive test
With the rise of BED BUG infestations in the NYC area and the fact that "BB" live for so long and are in hotel rooms from which many people reside and they are sucking blood from so many different people....Can you get herpes from bites from BED BUGS?
i have not been diagnosed with herpes, even given a clean bill of health from the doctor, however i have a real strong smell of ammonia in my panties from time to time, mostly when i wear dark panties. someone told me that this could be a sign of herpes. any ideas?
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