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Herpes Online Personal Empowerment and Support
Herpes Online Personal Empowerment and Support
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There's a lot more here at HerpeSite! Bookmark this page and click the topics below to continue: Questions, Comments, & Feedback contact: support (at) HerpeSite. org Over 3,000,000 Visitors since 1996! This Reference Copyright © 1996 … 2010 HerpeSite(tm) Privacy & No Spam Policy Disclaimer Copies may be made and distributed to anyone who may benefit, as long as there is no charge and the disclaimers remain intact. www. herpesite. org Originally a resource for the AOL Herpes Support Community at www.members.aol.com/herpesite/ |
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Herpes is just a virus... your days are up to you. |
| To meet others who can relate and understand for camaraderie, dating, and friendship. Herpesite recommends PositiveSingles! |
Herpes Testing Options
Current Tests Available to Determine Herpes Infection
There are a number of testing procedures to determine a Herpes infection. Proper diagnostic
procedures include a physical examination of infected areas by a qualified health care professional.
Most experienced practitioners are competent in identifying HSV by its visible characteristics. Cell
cultures are the standard test for confirmation, and must be taken by sampling or swabbing an active
lesion. Many experts recommend that a culture be taken even in the case of a "classic herpes" visual
diagnosis, to confirm the diagnosis and viral type.
Cultures tests are best and most accurate when taken on a fresh lesion. Even then, the amount
of virus present may not be enough to get an accurate result. The amount of virus present is usually
less in recurrent Herpes outbreaks than on a first outbreak, and cultures of recurrent lesions have a
very high (50%) false negative rate. Suspected Herpes infections that show negative in culture may
require additional testing. However, a positive result by culture is a definite determinant of infection. Be
sure to obtain the viral type (HSV-1 or HSV-2) from your health care provider.
Most commercially available blood tests and titer tests are not accurate for determining HSV
type, the only proven exception being the Western Blot serology, which must be specially ordered and
processed through specialized labs. It usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks after initial infection for
antibodies to develop in the blood, so any blood test done prior to that time will result in a
false negative or inaccurate result. HerpeSite recommends that no other blood test be considered
other than the Western Blot for Herpes. Consult with your local medical labs and health care provider as
to availability, costs, and applicability of these procedures. Detailed information on the Western Blot
blood test for Herpes can be found at the Westover Heights Clinic Website (found on our Resources
Page).
It's ALWAYS best to see a qualified medical professional in person for an exam and testing for
HSV or any other conditions! We believe strongly in doing your own research, and know also
that no one can diagnose or accurately treat any condition over the internet.
You may have noticed an ad link on this page or another HerpeSite page for "California STD
Clinic" or "10 Minute Herpes Test" and Dr. Arani. We've met Dr. Arani and seen his facilities, and
recommend him highly! A self-administered test sent via the mail without a comprehensive physical
exam may not give you an accurate result. So if you're near the Los Angeles area, you can visit Dr.
Arani personally for an exam, consultation, and diagnosis from a medical doctor. An appointment is only
$20! Click on the link to visit his comprehensive STD website, view photos, and check out his offices.
Current Tests Available to Determine Herpes Infection
There are a number of testing procedures to determine a Herpes infection. Proper diagnostic
procedures include a physical examination of infected areas by a qualified health care professional.
Most experienced practitioners are competent in identifying HSV by its visible characteristics. Cell
cultures are the standard test for confirmation, and must be taken by sampling or swabbing an active
lesion. Many experts recommend that a culture be taken even in the case of a "classic herpes" visual
diagnosis, to confirm the diagnosis and viral type.
Cultures tests are best and most accurate when taken on a fresh lesion. Even then, the amount
of virus present may not be enough to get an accurate result. The amount of virus present is usually
less in recurrent Herpes outbreaks than on a first outbreak, and cultures of recurrent lesions have a
very high (50%) false negative rate. Suspected Herpes infections that show negative in culture may
require additional testing. However, a positive result by culture is a definite determinant of infection. Be
sure to obtain the viral type (HSV-1 or HSV-2) from your health care provider.
Most commercially available blood tests and titer tests are not accurate for determining HSV
type, the only proven exception being the Western Blot serology, which must be specially ordered and
processed through specialized labs. It usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks after initial infection for
antibodies to develop in the blood, so any blood test done prior to that time will result in a
false negative or inaccurate result. HerpeSite recommends that no other blood test be considered
other than the Western Blot for Herpes. Consult with your local medical labs and health care provider as
to availability, costs, and applicability of these procedures. Detailed information on the Western Blot
blood test for Herpes can be found at the Westover Heights Clinic Website (found on our Resources
Page).
It's ALWAYS best to see a qualified medical professional in person for an exam and testing for
HSV or any other conditions! We believe strongly in doing your own research, and know also
that no one can diagnose or accurately treat any condition over the internet.
You may have noticed an ad link on this page or another HerpeSite page for "California STD
Clinic" or "10 Minute Herpes Test" and Dr. Arani. We've met Dr. Arani and seen his facilities, and
recommend him highly! A self-administered test sent via the mail without a comprehensive physical
exam may not give you an accurate result. So if you're near the Los Angeles area, you can visit Dr.
Arani personally for an exam, consultation, and diagnosis from a medical doctor. An appointment is only
$20! Click on the link to visit his comprehensive STD website, view photos, and check out his offices.