2006-07-05 18:18:00 · 6 answers · asked by jmcfarland2006 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
I've heard blood tests can be really inaccurate. They can provide a negative result when in fact you do have the virus.
Usually genital herpes is diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical exam. A woman will have a gynecological exam and possibly a pap smear depending on the woman's medical history. A man will have a genital exam to check for the herpes virus.
I was diagnosed with genital herpes 5 years ago. The doctor took one look and knew it was herpes. I had my initial breakout about 3 weeks after I had unprotected sex with someone who had the virus. I never had a blood test done.
If you have been infected with the herpes virus it can take usually anywhere from 2-20 days to have an initial breakout. If you haven't had an outbreak by a month, then you possibly don't have it. I would personally wait a month, if you haven't had an outbreak by then, get the blood test.
2006-07-05 19:32:06 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-08-31 23:12:02 · answer #2 · answered by Timothy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blood tests are often used when a person has concerns about herpes, but does not have any visible symptoms. In the past, type-specific blood tests were not always accurate because they confused other herpes virus antibodies such as varicella zoster (chicken pox), Epstein Barr, or mononucleosis for herpes simplex (Types 1 and 2) antibodies. The Western Blot has long been the standard test for diagnosis. It was designed to test for antib odies, but is costly and time consuming.
Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact. Unlike a flu virus that you can get through the air, herpes spreads by direct contact, that is, directly from the site of infection to the site of contact. For example, if you have a cold sore and kiss someone, you can transfer the virus to their mouth. Similarly, if you have active genital herpes and have vaginal or anal intercourse, you can give your partner genital herpes. Finally, if you have a cold sore and put your mouth on your partners genitals (oral sex), you can give your partner genital herpes.
2006-07-05 18:31:05 · answer #3 · answered by purple 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Herpes could never show up. It could show up 2,3,6 months down the line. Some people have it for years and never knew.
2006-07-06 05:49:16 · answer #4 · answered by ronce_1118 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could take up to twelve years for it to show up. you need to be tested every six months until you start having symptoms or until the twelve years is up
2006-07-05 22:37:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 months, sometimes 6.
2006-07-05 18:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by matt H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋