Question:
Hi, I thought I posted this earlier this week, but I've had no replies and now I can't find the post. Is there an accurate blood test I can have to find out if my hepes is type 1 or 2? I have it top and bottom, but rarely/never have outbreaks that are strong enough to notice, so I can't go get it cultured. The doctor who diagnosed me in the first place was trying to save me money and recommended that I not get a test, just trust her thatI did in fact have herpes. I do trust her, I do have it, but now I'd like to know which kind where.

Thanks.

Answer:
Hi, I thought I posted this earlier this week, but I've had no replies and now I can't find the post. Is there an accurate blood test I can have to find out if my hepes is type 1 or 2? Yes, all the accurate blood tests are listed over on www.herpesdiagnosis.com

I have it top and bottom, but rarely/never have outbreaks that are strong enough to notice, so I can't go get it cultured. The doctor who diagnosed me in the first place was trying to save me money and recommended that I not get a test, just trust her thatI did in fact have herpes. I do trust her, I do have it, but now I'd like to know which kind where.Thanks. I don't think that anybody should rely strictly on a diagnosis that was done merely by a doctor taking a look. Doctor's are human and they make mistakes.

I feel you should have followed up with proper herpes testing to confirm your doctor's diagnosis by sight..

Just my opinion,

Angela :D

Answer:
I was very poor and hyper-unemployed at the time; I think she was just trying to be helpful. And as time has gone on my symptoms have proven to be consistant with herpes, so I don't at all think she misdiagnosed. Looking at the tests it seems like the blood tests just test for antibodies, so it won't tell me which strain I have in which location. It is possible to have both, right? No one on this board seems to talk about having both 1 & 2, but my understanding is that if someone has HSV1 orally, then they'll build up enough antibodies eventually not to catch HSV1 genitally... that's why rates of self-contamination are low? so it would be possible to catch HSV2 genitally? I believe that I've had oral herpes for a long time, just never recognised it as such--thought it was zits, etc--and got it genitally 3 years ago. Does that mean I have both kinds?

Answer:
Looking at the tests it seems like the blood tests just test for antibodies, so it won't tell me which strain I have in which location. Actually a type specific antibody test should tell you if you have type-1, type-2, both or none at all. However, you are correct in that it won't tell you the location. But, if you know of any outbreaks that you may have had (since the doc diagnosed you by site) then you can pretty much guess at the type belonging to that location.

Genital herpes type-2 and Genital Herpes type-1 is quite common. Oral herpes type-1 is common but Oral herpes type-2 is not so common. In fact, it's pretty rare.

It is possible to have both, right? Yes, it's possible to have both types.

No one on this board seems to talk about having both 1 & 2, but my understanding is that if someone has HSV1 orally, then they'll build up enough antibodies eventually not to catch HSV1 genitally... that's why rates of self-contamination are low? I don't really believe in "self contamination" because you can't give yourself what you have already contracted over and over again.. ya know?

But yes, if you have oral herpes type-1 it's not likely you will contract genital herpes type-1.

so it would be possible to catch HSV2 genitally? I believe that I've had oral herpes for a long time, just never recognised it as such--thought it was zits, etc--and got it genitally 3 years ago. Does that mean I have both kinds? It is possible to have oral herpes type-1 and genital herpes type-2.

Hope this helps,

Angela :D

Answer:
I am trying to understand herpes.I was told I have Genitial Herpes. I have not been able to cope -so i have been repressing all of this. Now I am under a great deal of stress and I have an OB on my face. when to doctor and was not given any couseling but told to search online for some. I need a doctor in the Tampa Bay Area that will meet my needs. Can anyone give me a referal to there doctor? will these get worse? What does chronic herpes mean and will I get it because the intense stress? I taking Valtrex but I am getting sick to my stomach worrying about this and what its doing to my body. Lots of headaches and I scared. zPlease help

Answer:
1. yes you can have both hsv1 and hsv2. (I caught hsv1 in my childhood and was blessed with those lovely coldsores children are apt to get. Caught hsv2 back in 2003 from my moronic, lying sack of crap boyfriend.)

2. for kim, please find a local planned parenthood, they can be most helpful in giving you information you may need as well as provide some counseling. They have alot more experience with STDS (as compared to a regular doctor) and tend to treat you better and not be so judgemental.

3. yes, stressing out is not helping your situation at all. You are going to have more outbreaks the more you stress out. (I do the same thing, stress too much then I can't understand why I am having more outbreaks now then I did 2/3 years ago!) Try to eat a healthy diet, take vitamins, your meds, and get some rest too. Rest is SO important!! :)

Do things in moderation....if you like to party and drink and stuff...you still CAN, but you should curtail it to only once or twice a week. Stay away from junky foods, like sugars, and OATMEAL (apparently oatmeal is my kryptonite!) nuts, etc. Eat these things only ONCE in a while (which really, when you think about it, we should all do things in moderation anyways, right?!!) :wink:

It has been three years and I have still been trying to figure things out. It is a never ending process. My stress comes from not having the disease so much but passing it on somehow to my kids. Highly unlikely, but I still feel it is possible if I am not careful. So I have to learn how to maintain TAHT stress, and it is not easy. (just got over a super bad outbreak recently, from too much OATMEAL and STRESS.)

But please, try to contact your local planned parenthood, tell them you need help and have no where to turn. You need desperately to talk to one of their nurse practitioners. Maybe go in under the guise of an annual pap smear THEN tell the NP what you are really there for. I am sure they will be most helpful.