Question:
I got tested for all STDs about 18 months ago. I had a swab taken (genitally) as well as blood. I was then diagnosed with type 2.

About a year later I had a swab taken (orally). And I was told I was negative for type 1.

I saw a SPECIALIST nurse today at a GUM clinic, and she lead me to believe that I'd been tested on BOTH occassions for type 1 and was negative both times - and so I DID NOT HAVE TYPE 1. I told her I was ecstatic about finding this out - I hadn't realised I'd been tested for type 1 the first time.

Anyway, it was only when I was driving home that it dawned on me that they probably tested type 1 the first time via a swab, not blood. I phoned them when I got back to work and it was confirmed - it hadn't been tested via blood. Therefore SHE WAS TOTALLY WRONG TO SAY I DON'T HAVE TYPE 1 - SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY OF KNOWING.:evil:

FUCKING PROFESSIONALS. There aren't THAT many STDS. It never fails to amaze me how often they get their information wrong.

Sorry about this boring post - but I have no-where else to chunter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
Almost makes you think there's a method to the madness, huh?

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I swear it's as if they rush through everything. They have forgotten they work for us it seems.

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I know exactly how you feel. When I was diagnosed in January 07 (but was in denial until March 07) I called my old doctors office that I went to when I was pregnant in May 06 and was told by the DOCTOR that my test for hsv was negative. So I trot my happy butt over to the doctors office to get a copy of my results for my new doctor. I had called before hand and was given the results at the window. Something told me to look down and could not find the results to my herpes test. So I questioned them and just so happen there was a nurse coming back from lunch....so she looked at the papers and was unable to find the results for a hsv test. She asked the doctor that I spoke with and the doctor told her to send me in. Well I was informed that I had not been given a blood test for hsv but a physical/visual examination! I was livid because just the day before she told me that some people go there whole life w/o an OB or that it could take several years but you give me a visual exam only? Not to mention I was pregnant! Anyway she also told me that she didn't believe that I had hsv and that if she was tested that she probably would have it too because it is so common. She also informed me that they ONLY do hsv test if they see a lesion or if the person has other symptoms. So I asked why only then? epecially if you are telling me that it can hide? She says "well honey it causes so much pain and has broken up many happy homes." I was so shocked....and all I could think about was "So these are the people I trusted with my health?" She just didn' believe that I had it so she took some blood and tested me and sure enough I had it. The doctors seem way too relaxed about hsv.

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^^^

That is so true. My Doctor acted as if it was no big deal. He was so relaxed about it, it was weird. He just kept telling me my life was'nt over. I asked him about suppressive therapy and he refused since I am in a relationship where we both are HSV-2 positive.

He said he would put me on suppressive if this relatonship ended. I Told him I would never date some one without it. He kind of rolled his eyes and with a slight smile repeated again that he will put me on suppressive therapy if I am single again. Like I was overreacting by not wanting to spread it. Crazy.

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Those stories are sooooooooooooo bad.

There's been only three experiences described in this thread of coming into contact with professionals - but from them, I could make a looooooong list of; crap information, plain inaccurate information, and frightening information that we have all received.

Not to mention absolutely appalling medical intervention regarding testing and prescription - or NON prescription I should say - of medication.

"well honey it causes so much pain and has broken up many happy homes." . Who the fuck wants to hear that.

The NHS - or whatever people have in their countries (as this seems a GLOBAL problem, not just confined to one country) - choose not to pay any attention to herpes because;

1. they don't have a cure
2. they have what appear to be at best, mediocre medication they can offer
3. they don't have the resources to test and treat 80% of the population.
4. they have CRAP knowledge of this condition (as we all know)
5. it's not a 'sexy' disease. What would you prefer to say when out socially; I treat people with HIV or I treat people with herpes. Doesn't have the same ring to it does it (and I'm truly not trying to offend people with HIV - that was only one example anyway - I'm just trying to get the point across, that YET AGAIN I believe it comes down to STIGMA).

There, rant over.

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God, looks like problems with experts are far worse than I thought. I don't work in medecine nor do I study in it, but I find the lack of information about herpes staggering. Not only there seems to be a kind of resignation in the medical field, but reliable sources seem to contradict each others. The nurse I saw when I learned my girlfriend had herpes told me HSV couldn't spread through objects. The doctor who tested me this morning stated the exact opposite.

In the hall, there is a white poster with a thong on it, written "This thong has seen Hell; Herpes itches and hurts, use a condom". They have a variety of posters like that for different STDs. It's part of a campaign to promote safer sex here in Québec. I pointed out the fact that condoms only offer a slight protection against herpes, and they'd better be off saying it as it is rather than lie to make it seem like condoms protect against everything. The answer I got? "If we tell people condoms are not a 100% effective method against all STDs, they'll stop using them"

Am I the only one who's outraged by an answer like that? I understand the point she was trying to make, and with STDs, there is a thin line between prevention and spreading panic. However, do we really have to sacrifice people to the HSV virus so another one won't get chlamydia? I know I'm generalizing, but being one of those who got the virus while practicing safe sex, I can't help but be angry at lies like that. I work part time in sexology at my college, and even during my classes, I don't remember reading that fact.

As I said, my girlfriend has herpes, I was there this morning for a routine STD check and a blood test for HIV/HSV. I did get my blood test, but guess what? Only for HIV. They won't check for the HSV virus. Why? "Because 70% of the population has it, orally or genitally, and since it doesn't cause any important harm to the body, and is incurable, there is no point in testing." She told me to come back once I'll have open lesions, and only then will they do a culture test and a blood test. In her words "Since your girlfriend has it, it's safe to assume that you do, just wait for her results, come back if you have symptoms".

Is the medical field so clueless about HSV that it gives in to resignation? It might be the reason why there's no effective treatments to at least stop the shedding. What if we had done the same thing for cancer? Look at the leap in cancer treatments in the past years. It can be treated and in some case, even cured. They too often overlook the psychological damage a disease can do to a person. In that way, HSV is a death sentence for many of us.

With 70% of the population here being infected either orally or genitally, aggressive info campaigns should be done. It might not be lethal, but with the complications it can cause for pregnant women, HSV can, and WILL directly affect the next generation.

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If you want an HSV test then can't you demand one? In the UK you can - at the end of the day we pay their wages via our taxes. Don't know what it's like in Canada.

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It's what I did, maybe Icould get one from another place, but as for STD clinics, they do not offer hsv blood tests. The doctor who did the tests on me told me they didn't have the right to. Maybe I can look in the private health care, anyone around here from Québec?