How Does Chlamydia Spread
As chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, a person may have the infection and pass it on to a sexual partner without knowing.
It is not possible to pass on chlamydia through:
- contact with a toilet seat
- sharing a sauna
- touching a surface that a person with chlamydia has touched
- standing close to a person who has the infection
- coughs or sneezes
- conjunctivitis or pneumonia in the newborn
Im Pregnant How Could Genital Herpes Affect My Baby
If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, prenatal care visits are very important. Some research suggest that a genital herpes infection may lead to miscarriage or make it more likely to deliver your baby too early. You can pass herpes to your unborn child before birth, but it more commonly passes during delivery. This can lead to a deadly infection in your baby . It is important that you avoid getting genital herpes during pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a genital herpes diagnosis or symptoms. Also tell them about any possible exposure to genital herpes.
If you have genital herpes, you may need to take anti-herpes medicine towards the end of your pregnancy. This medicine may reduce your risk of having signs or symptoms of genital herpes when you deliver. At the time of delivery, your healthcare provider should carefully examine you for herpes sores. If you have signs or symptoms of genital herpes at delivery, a C-section is likely to occur.
Are There Any Risks To The Test
There is no known risk to having a swab test.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
If you had a lumbar puncture, you may have pain or tenderness in your back where the needle was inserted. You may also get a headache after the procedure.
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How To Avoid Genital Herpes
Using condoms reduces the risk of contracting all sexually transmitted infections including genital herpes.
Genital herpes can be passed on even when there are not blisters present.
However, the blisters and sores are highly infectious, so if you or a partner have cold sores or genital herpes:
- avoid kissing when you, or a partner, have cold sores around the mouth
- avoid oral sex when you, or a partner, have mouth or genital sores
Herpes Is Rarely Serious
Herpes is an extremely common and widely feared infection, but in most cases it’s not very serious. “Most genital herpes infections are asymptomatic and the fear of herpes is more psychological than it is physical,” H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle and a nationally recognized STD expert, tells Health. “It’s basically just a skin disease.”
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If You Have Zero Symptoms Getting Tested Won’t Help You
The problem is that blood tests for herpes when no lesions or symptoms are present are often bullshit. I realize that’s a pretty strong word, but after speaking with doctors who have administered these tests, it’s become more and more apparent to me how misunderstood and in some cases, just plain wrong the results they give are.
Part of the reason they’re flawed has to do with the fact that most people have been exposed to HSV-1 or oral herpes. “For HSV-1, close to 100 percent of people in the U.S. are antibody-positive because they have been exposed at some point in their lives, though only a percentage of these individuals will actually get cold sores,” says Adam Friedman, the residency program director at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. He adds that blood tests can be misleading because they usually don’t detect the herpes virus itself and instead look at the level of antibodies against the virus, which is merely a sign of immune response to it.
When Should I Talk With A Doctor About Herpes
If you have a primary care doctor who you regularly visit, you can share your results with them to provide better insight into your next steps.
If you dont have a primary care doctor, you can consult with a physician or nurse from the testing site about treatment options.
If youve been treating your symptoms with medication and are still in pain or discomfort, reach out to a healthcare professional.
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How Long Does It Take For Herpes To Show Up
Herpes has an incubation phase that can last up to 12 days after exposure. This phase is where the virus replicates and builds up in your body, and when the virus reaches a critical mass, youll start to experience symptoms.
Testing during this phase can be tricky, as there may not be enough virus particles or antibodies to produce an accurate result. Thats why waiting until you show symptoms of an outbreak is the best option for determining whether or not you have genital herpes. However, if your partner shows signs of a herpes outbreak, you can consider our Rapid STD Testings early detection testing for herpes that is more sensitive within the incubation phase.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About An Hsv Test
The best way to prevent genital herpes or another STD is to not have sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by
- Being in a long-term relationship with one partner who has tested negative for STDs
- Using condoms correctly every time you have sex
If you’ve been diagnosed with genital herpes, condom use can reduce your risk of spreading the infection to others.
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Herpes Home Test Vs Herpes Lab Testing
While our herpes test requires a visit to a lab, our testing process is private and no information is shared with your health insurance company or your personal doctor without your consent. That being said, some people would prefer to get a home herpes test . While there are some herpes test kits available on the market, current data suggests that they may not be as accurate as the FDA-approved herpes blood testing labs that we use and are trusted by doctors and medical providers across the country.
In order to prevent exposure to herpes, one must avoid any oral or sexual contact with an infected person. While condoms might help during sexual activity, they are by no means foolproof in preventing transmission of the herpes virus. Once infected, there is no cure for herpes. During periods of active symptoms like blisters, specific antiviral medications can sometimes reduce the duration of the symptoms and intensity of any associated pain.
The CDC estimates that 776,000 people get new herpes infections each year and that 15.7% of people between the ages of 14 and 49 have an HSV-2 infection. For anyone concerned about a herpes exposure or for people in a new relationship, herpes lab testing is a helpful way to determine your status with simple, affordable blood testing.
- A doctor’s lab order*
- A PDF copy of your test results
- Responsive customer service
Blood Tests For Asymptomatic Herpes
If you do not have an active outbreak of herpes blisters, your medical provider can still test to determine if you have previously been infected with either herpes simplex virus.
But, the incubation period for herpes is up to 12 days, so your doctor may recommend waiting to perform a blood test until it has been at least that long since you were exposed to the virus.
If you are tested too soon after exposure, you may get a false negative result because the immune system has not yet had time to produce antibodies
Blood tests can be done that look for antibodies to either HSV-1 or HSV-2.
The results can indicate whether you have been exposed to one or both viruses.
It is not possible to know from a blood test whether you are currently contagious with herpes, only that you have previously been infected.
It is also possible to get at-home testing kits.
These use a lancet to prick your finger and take a small blood sample, which can identify whether you have been exposed to HSV-1 or HSV-2.
If you want an at-home kit, make sure you ask your medical provider for a recommendation, as some test kits do not check for both HSV-1 and HSV-2.
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How To Contract Herpes
Herpes is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, according to the New York State Department of Health. It goes on to warn that herpes can spread even if there are no sores or other symptoms in the affected person.
The best way to reduce your risk of genital herpes, according to the National Institutes of Health, is to avoid having intercourse and to use condoms appropriately and regularly when you do. Staying in a long-term relationship with someone who does not have genital herpes is another excellent way to reduce your risk.
What Do The Tests Measure
At-home genital and oral herpes testing detects antibodies to the herpes simplex virus. Antibodies are produced by a persons immune system to defend the body against a potentially harmful substance, called an antigen.
Antibodies to HSV are only present in patients who have been infected with HSV at some point in their life. At-home genital and oral herpes tests cannot distinguish between a new or recent infection and an infection that occured in the past.
Antibodies to HSV are specific to the type of HSV and develop within a few weeks of being exposed to the virus but may take longer depending on the type of herpes. Antibodies to HSV remain in the body indefinitely. Some at-home kits test for only one type of herpes while others test for both HSV-1 and HSV2.
After a persons first outbreak of genital or oral herpes, the virus initially infects a persons skin cells and eventually moves to their nerve cells. The virus may stay inactive in the nerve cells forever without causing another outbreak, or it may become active again in the future.
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What Does The Test Result Mean
Direct detection of the virus
- A positive HSV DNA test or culture indicates that you have an active herpes infection, and the result may indicate if it is HSV-1 or HSV-2.
- A negative PCR test or culture indicates that the herpes simplex virus was not detected, but this does not definitely rule out an infection. False negatives can occur if there is not enough active virus in the sample. This may happen if the lesion is cultured more than 48 hours after the symptoms appear. If suspicion of herpes remains high, repeat testing may be done.
Antibody blood tests
- A positive HSV-1 or HSV-2 IgG antibody test means antibodies are present in your blood, which means you have had an infection in the past even if you havent noticed any symptoms. The type of antibody detected indicates the type of HSV infection.
- Negative HSV antibody results mean that it is unlikely that you have been exposed to HSV or it may mean that your body has not had time to begin producing HSV antibodies.
How Much Do At
Most insurance companies do not cover herpes testing at home or in person. At-home tests cost around $80 to $120, although some companies offer a discount for people who subscribe to regular testing. If your insurance covers herpes testing, consider using one of the companies that bill insurance. This may be able to reduce your cost significantly. In some instances, you may be reimbursed by your insurance company for testing.
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How Soon After Unprotected Sex Can I Test For Herpes
Herpes has an incubation period of 2 to 12 days for initial infections. This means it can take 12 days for it to show on a test. The symptoms can appear quickly after exposure. This leaves a short window of time within which to do a swab test. Blood tests can however be accurate even months after exposure. You can wait either until symptoms appear or allow the incubation period to end before performing a blood test after unprotected sex.
If you test positive for herpes, it will be a lifelong condition. This applies to both HPV 1 and HPV 2. There is no need to retest if confirmed positive. Simply manage the symptoms as they come.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test
As with the viral culture, your doctor swabs or scrapes a sample from one of your sores. A lab gets the sample and looks for genes from the herpes virus. PCR test results usually come back to you within 24 hours.
Youre more likely to get this test if you have symptoms but its been longer than 48 hours since they showed up. In this case, you can rely on the results from this test more than the viral culture.
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Testing For Other Stds
Sonora Quest Laboratories offers testing for a complete range of common sexually transmitted diseases. Choose from screenings for specific STDs or order a comprehensive STD Screen, which tests for all common STDs in one test.
*Certain patient test results are required by Arizona Administrative Code to be reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services for public health reasons.
*It is solely your responsibility to promptly discuss all laboratory test results with a physician. Neither Sonora Quest Laboratories nor its Medical Director will provide interpretation, counseling, consulting, or care recommendations on the basis of any laboratory results provided to you.
Order Your Own STD Screen for Herpes
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How Long Does It Take For Symptoms Of Herpes To Appear
It generally takes anywhere from 4 to 7 days for herpes symptoms to appear. Both genital and oral herpes outbreaks have similar symptoms.
The primary symptom of a herpes outbreak is sores that resemble blisters, called herpes lesions, on the mouth or genitals.
In addition, people may also experience the following symptoms prior to the outbreak:
- pain and redness, especially around the area the outbreak will occur
- itching and tingling, primarily in the outbreak area
- flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, or swollen lymph nodes
Most of the symptoms that occur before an outbreak indicate that the virus is replicating. Symptoms are usually the worst during the first herpes outbreak.
According to the
Some people with the herpes virus are asymptomatic, which means that they dont experience any physical symptoms of the disease. This doesnt mean that they cant spread the disease, however.
Anyone who has the herpes virus, whether symptomatic or not, can spread the virus to others.
If you have the herpes virus and your body has produced antibodies, it can be detected on a blood test, even if you have no symptoms. The only time the virus might not be detected on a test is if youve been tested too early.
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Can I Have Sex After Genital Herpes Exposure
The incubation period for genital herpes is 2-12 days. Testing for HSV too early can result in a negative test result, even if you have the virus. If you suspect youve been exposed to genital herpes:
What Abnormal Results Mean
A positive test means you have been infected with HSV recently or at some point in the past.
Tests can be done to help determine if you have a recent infection.
About 70% of adults have been infected by HSV-1 and have antibodies against the virus. About 20% to 50% of adults will have antibodies against the HSV-2 virus, which causes genital herpes.
HSV stays in your system once you have been infected. It may be asleep , and cause no symptoms, or it may flare up and cause symptoms. This test cannot tell whether you are having a flare-up.
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How To Choose The Right At
If youre considering getting tested for herpes, you may wonder how to choose between the various options. Here are some things to consider:
- Types of tests: Herpes tests are available as single tests for HSV-1 or HSV-2, a combination test for both, or as part of a comprehensive STI panel that covers a range of infections.
- Results: Some services offer results in as little as 1 day, while others may take up to 5 days.
- Accuracy: All the tests on our list boast high accuracy rates. Opt for a company that uses
Where Can I Get Tested For Herpes
You can get tested for herpes and other STDs at your doctors office, a community health clinic, the health department, or your local Planned Parenthood health center.
STD testing isnt usually part of your regular checkup or gynecologist exam you have to ask for it. Be honest with your nurse or doctor so they can help you figure out which tests are best for you. Dont be embarrassed: Your doctor is here to help you, not to judge you.
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