Isabella
08-12-2003, 12:26 AM
I know that you can buy HIV home test kits from drugstores/online. I think you take a blood sample yourself, mail it off anonymously, and then get results a few weeks later. Is there such a thing for HSV testing that anyone knows of? I haven't been able to find an at home test if it exists. I know I should just take my butt to the doctor, but I haven't gotten up the nerve to face anyone with this problem yet.
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TheOneInFour
08-12-2003, 01:34 AM
Hi Isabella,
The closest thing to what you describe might be the POCkit test, which tests ONLY for HSV-2. You can order it from their website, I think (do a search for it) but I don't know if they'd send it directly to a patient or if you'd have to go through your doctor. You could email them and ask though. It's a blood test that's done with a finger prick of blood, if I'm not mistaken. If you don't want to go through your doctor for something, I think there's a place called Health Check USA that will do blood testing by mail.
You should know, though, that it can take up to 12-16 weeks (sometimes 6 months) after initial infection for antibodies to show up in a blood test. Usually it's more like 6 weeks after transmission but it could be longer.
I don't believe there is any swab test or other tissue sample test that is available except through a doctor and processing lab.
If it's anonymity you're worried about, you might try going to an STD clinic or doctor in another town.
TheOneInFour
The closest thing to what you describe might be the POCkit test, which tests ONLY for HSV-2. You can order it from their website, I think (do a search for it) but I don't know if they'd send it directly to a patient or if you'd have to go through your doctor. You could email them and ask though. It's a blood test that's done with a finger prick of blood, if I'm not mistaken. If you don't want to go through your doctor for something, I think there's a place called Health Check USA that will do blood testing by mail.
You should know, though, that it can take up to 12-16 weeks (sometimes 6 months) after initial infection for antibodies to show up in a blood test. Usually it's more like 6 weeks after transmission but it could be longer.
I don't believe there is any swab test or other tissue sample test that is available except through a doctor and processing lab.
If it's anonymity you're worried about, you might try going to an STD clinic or doctor in another town.
TheOneInFour
Isabella
08-14-2003, 12:47 AM
Thanks for the info! I may go ahead and test sometime soon, I think I've had enough time for the antibodies to appear (it's been over 8 months since I had
"relations" with anyone). I will check these out!
"relations" with anyone). I will check these out!