[Question #13616] Testing question
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4 days ago
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Hello!
I have questions about hsv and I was looking to get professional feedback. I have a ton of anxiety/OCD around my health, and my newest concern is HSV, specifically hsv2. I’ve never had cold sores but I know they are common so I’m not too concerned with hsv 1. I know hsv 2 is most commonly associated with genital herpes. I’ve never had symptoms , but ever since I had a friction bump a few weeks ago my mind can’t seem to relax. I noticed quest diagnostics does hsv 1 & 2 antibody testing but I read that these tests aren’t recommended in the absence of symptoms. Do you recommend testing for asymptomatic people? I was thinking of getting a test because I don’t know how to relax my mind but I don’t know if I’d be able to handle a positive result either. I was looking for info on these antibody tests and what you think about them. Thank you
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4 days ago
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Quest has an “additional confirmatory test” if hsv 2 is positive with no extra cost. Can you advise me your thoughts on these tests and what you think I should do?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
4 days ago
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I would very strongly suggest that you NOT take the Quest test at this point if you have an option to use another lab. The reason testing isn't recommended is because some tests are more prone to giving false positive results and the Quest test (Diasorin) is one of them. A recent study found that the test at labCorp does much better so if you want to test, consider using that one or even better, the Western blot done by the University of Washington. Anyone can ship blood there, while working with their clinician.
Terri
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4 days ago
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Okay, I will advise against using quest. Do you think in your honest opinion I should get a blood test if I haven’t had symptoms? I’ve been finding myself checking myself constantly for “new” skin variations. I can’t tell if this is a valid worry or if this is my OCD. as an expert, what do you recommend to people? I’ve done every STD test under the sun aside from hsv blood testing. Do you think it is worth it to do in the absence of symptoms? Do blood tests give false positives frequently? I’ve had 7 partners in my life and within the past 2 years, only been with 2 of the same people. Haven’t had symptoms.
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4 days ago
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I know you can’t tell me what to do, but what do you advise people regarding hsv 2 blood testing in the absence of symptoms? Coming from a professional, I’d love your insight to calm my nerves.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
4 days ago
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That's a very interesting question. So before I was a nurse practitioner, I was a therapist, guess I still am, and as a therapist, I find that people spend a lot of time worrying that they might have herpes. Now that we have a much better test that isn't very expensive and yields very few false positive , I can't see why one should not test and if negative get piece of mind. If positive, there are things one can do to reduce transmission to partners and reduce the risk of having recurrences. Yes, a positive result would be upsetting but wouldn't unknowlingly infecting someone else also be upsetting? if you want to know if you have herpes and want to eliminate the possibility of any false positives, you could do the herpes Western blot through the university of Washington.
Terri
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4 days ago
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I just read that without symptoms, testing isn’t recommended so I didn’t know what you thought about that. How accurate is the western blot? I don’t know if I would do it, but how would I go about doing that? Also, in the absense of symptoms do you think it’s likely I’d have hsv 2? I’m so paranoid. Because if I did, I would be expected to tell partners even without symptoms right? I have no reason to believe I have it I just have super bad anxiety.
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4 days ago
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Because I also know most people aren’t tested for it so I don’t know if I’m considered irresponsible or just what the normal population is doing by not testing. Do you think it’s irresponsible to not test in the absence of symptoms? Because the cdc says not to unless you do have symptoms. So I just don’t know what the right thing to do is
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
3 days ago
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Testing with routine tests is not advised due to the high rate of false positives. There are no false positives on the western blot. Testing is totally up to you and is fine if you do the blot for your test. I can help you with that at Westoverheights.com if you decide you want to do it.
Terri
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