Question:
Okay, so I know there is no cure for herpes. I'm just wondering what is so medically impossible about finding a way to detect when you are shedding, so that you know not to have sex at that time, thus not passing it on to your partner. They can test for blood sugars in diabetics, ovulation in women, what seems to be the big complication here. Of course, I'm not a doctor. But you'd think someone would research this, and some drug company would jump on it. I'm one of the lucky few that have never had an OB. I tested through a blood test, as I do every year, just to have peace of mind. But still no OB's. Sometimes I just wish I didn't have to disclose this. If I had never gotten tested, like the responsible woman I am, I would never have known, and my love life for the past two years may not have been ruined. Whatever, I know the criticism I'll get saying that, so please save it. I am looking for feedback on the medical POSSIBILITY of knowing if you are shedding. Thanks for your time.

Answer:
That would be a nice test to have.They could sell them OTC at Wal Mart.

Answer:
Yeah that's a fantastic idea...i mean really we all know there's no cure...but a shedding test would definitly helps us gain peace of mind that we all looking for when being around a partner and desire to get intimate....

Really bravo!!

Answer:
This would be a wonderful thing to have...

but, at least how I understand it, we would need some leap in technology to do this...

Currently viral shedding is detected in one of two methods: culture or PCR analysis of swabs taken. By the time you have results from a viral culture, it would help you know whether it's safer to have sex... a couple of days ago. PCR results can be obtained in hours (no one knows really if that's too late), but unfortunately to do the reaction efficiently it requires use of equipment that is prohibitively expensive (special equipment to precisely cycle the reaction through different temperatures) plus reagents & chemicals that are also quite expensive (and one of the chemicals used to view the result is quite dangerous).

What is needed is some way to detect the virus quickly... right now that seems kind of far off but all it takes is one revolutionary idea. PCR - a reaction that can take a small amount of DNA and increase the qty to a detectable (and useful) amount - was itself one of those revolutionary ideas. We just need another great leap like that...

Answer:
I thought of this concept a few months ago as well. My idea is for a spray that would illuminute viral particles (like Luminol does --lights up in blue to detect blood). I thought this product would be fast and good since it (presumably) would not have to go through medical clinical trials.

Any how - please spread the word. Hopefully a chemist or inventor will latch on to this idea and develop a product.

I would love feedback from members.