question about testing - Herpes Message Board

jdubb · 11-17-2003, 07:47 AM

This will probably sound like a stupid question, but I really don't know the answer. I am preparing myself to go in and take a blood test for H. If the results should come back positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV-2, does this mean that I do not have genital herpes of any kind? If I had HSV-1 genitally, would this also show up as HSV-1 on the test? If so, then I am guessing the only way to diagnose HSV-1 genitally would be through a culture?

Also, my symptoms are very mild, but I do have a lot of itching. NO pain, but itching. I have also had some marks in my pubic region where I shave that do not ooze or anything like that... in fact, I picked at them the other day and they bled.

Thanks for your help and support.

sunnie4567 · 11-17-2003, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdubb

This will probably sound like a stupid question, but I really don't know the answer. I am preparing myself to go in and take a blood test for H. If the results should come back positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV-2, does this mean that I do not have genital herpes of any kind? If I had HSV-1 genitally, would this also show up as HSV-1 on the test? If so, then I am guessing the only way to diagnose HSV-1 genitally would be through a culture?

Also, my symptoms are very mild, but I do have a lot of itching. NO pain, but itching. I have also had some marks in my pubic region where I shave that do not ooze or anything like that... in fact, I picked at them the other day and they bled.

Thanks for your help and support.

Hi...The blood test will be able to tell you whther you you HSV antibodies. They will also tell you if it is type I or type II. Depending on the test. Unfortunately they do not tell you location. So if you test positive for Type I it could either be orally or genitally. The only way to confirm a Type I would be through a culture. Hopefully you can get to da doctor to culture the marks you are getting in the groin area. I have read that there shouldn't be any blood when you pop it, but not sure if that is accurate.