This is what i heard from my local sex clinic - Herpes Message Board

206GTI · 05-26-2004, 11:56 PM

the doctor told me that herpes blood test don't mean a thing. he said he could only know once an open leision comes out and does a swab test (the great thing for me is i don't have a single blister for him to test

). he said the window period could be years. i had a HSV-2 antibody test done 2 months since my suspectible infection and it came out negative. does this really mean nothing?

from what i read on this site, its 3 months, right? i'm just wondering if it worth doing another HSV-2 blood test when the 3 month comes in consideration of his comments.

myblusky · 05-27-2004, 10:11 AM

I don't know why your doctor said that. I had a swab done and it came back negative because I wasn't able to get it done in time. I had an OB over the weekend and wasn't able to get to the clinic within 24 hours. My blood test came back positive though. So I do have herpes.

You can carry the virus and never have an outbreak. You can pass on the virus if you are a carrier. The real problem isn't knowing if you have the virus or not....its knowing if you are contagious or not. If the virus is shedding then you are contagious, but its really difficult to know that or not.

As far as getting another test....it can sometimes take up to 6 months before the antibodies appear in the blood test.

rockandroller · 05-27-2004, 11:52 AM

i had a blood test done and it came back type 1 positive. no biggie, because i knew i had cold sores. i went to the doctor and i know that can't swab for something that isn't there. i had a rash and a cut for about 2 months on my penis and they said it wasn't anything. they couldn't swab it. she said it was nothing. i even went to the std clinic and they said the same thing. i think you learn more on here than wasting your $$ at the doctor. hahaha.

karlthebunny · 05-28-2004, 10:53 AM

You have to know which test to ask for. Dr. Wald with the University of Washington has an on line report you can listen to with slides from April of this year that will give the best information on which tests to take.

Unlike generic drugs, non name brand tests are not as good. You can find the report by doing a google search for "Wald, herpes research". You will need a high speed connection as well or the down load will drive you nuts.

it takes about 16 weeks for your body to develope enough antibodies for the less sensitive tests to see

I wouldn't trust the average GP. My gf's Dr. told her bad info, which is why I'm possitive for 2.

The tests are by "Foster Technologies" one being the "elisa for 1 and 2" and the "imunoblot".

good luck