bloodwork - Herpes Message Board

teeyore · 03-19-2003, 06:44 AM

hi there to all-----

i was at the doctor yesterday for my yearly bloodwork, alot of family have health problems so i have my blood tested every year, anyway back to my question i asked my dr. if they could check to see what type of herpes that i have. he said that the HSV1 is the mouth herpes and HSV2 is the genital kind. i know that i have the genital kind, when i went to get checked out when i first found out i had the blisters. i have read numerous posts and it was stated that you can have your blood work checked for the virus. my doctor said no, could someone please confirm this, as i would be confused!

thanks!

toughspot · 03-19-2003, 09:03 AM

t.,

Everything I've read and heard from my doctors has indicated that you can have blood work done to test for the virus. Perhaps there was some confusion between you and your doctor? I find it hard to believe that a doctor who practices medicine today would flat out say that there isn't a blood test for herpes. That just doesn't make any sense.

Perhaps he thought you were asking for it and he was saying "no" because there was no need to confirm what he/she already knew? I think doctors are less inclined to order blood work when they see herpedic blisters since they're 99% sure it's herpes. Also, I had one doctor tell me that herpes is generally diagnosed based upon visual inspection.

If he did in fact say that a blood test for herpes does not exist I would question his skills at that point.

TheOneInFour · 03-19-2003, 03:13 PM

Hi Teeyore,

I don't blame you for being confused. Unfortunately, doctors have an enormous amount of new research to keep up on, and with many diseases much more serious to keep track of, herpes often falls down the priority list. Many doctors are not up to date about herpes, and there is a lot of new information, research, medication and testing available in the last 10 years.

Most oral herpes is caused by HSV-1 and most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2, but not always. As much as up to 30% of genital herpes is estimated to be caused by HSV-1, typically via oral sex. Oral HSV-2 seem to be relatively rare but can still happen.

There are new tests available now that weren't around 10 years ago and are much more accurate, sensitive and can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The best blood test is considered to be the Western Blot test (which unfortunately can also be a bit expensive if you're paying out of pocket for it).

There is also one called HerpeSelect (cheaper) but there are two versions of this I think; one that tests for both, one that tests for one or the other, so be sure you know which is which if you get that one done. There is also the POCkit test which is cheap and fast in results (10 minutes) but tests only for HSV-2.

There's a reference table available on herpes.org (in this board's Resource Links) in their November 2001 newsletter that lists the different blood tests available. Why don't you print it out and take it in to your doctor? He might appreciate having updated information about it and it would help you show him what it is you want.

Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

1in4

teeyore · 03-20-2003, 08:26 AM

thank you toughspot and 1in4 for your information. i now realize that there is alot i do not know about this disease. can the hsv2 be transferred with oral sex, when i do not have an ob? i read that hsv1 can be.

TheOneInFour · 03-20-2003, 10:25 AM

Hi Teeyore,

Yes, unfortunately HSV-2 can be transmitted via oral sex even without symptoms present. However, oral HSV-2 is thought to be relatively rare, probably for a variety of reasons. First, most people already have HSV-1 orally and this might protect them to some extent. Second, the oral area is not HSV-2's preferred location so it might be harder for it to take hold there. So the chances of your partner catching HSV-2 orally from you are far less than catching genital HSV-2 from you, but the chances are still not non-existent.

1in4