Questions For Your Doctor About Test Results
The following questions may be useful as patients review genital and oral herpes test results with their doctor:
- What type of test was conducted?
- What is my test result?
- What is the most likely explanation for my test result?
- Are there any follow-up tests that you recommend?
- How should I discuss my test result with sexual partners?
How Accurate Is My Instant Herpes Test
Your Better2Know instant Herpes test is highly accurate and sensitive. If you are worried about Herpes, or are experiencing symptoms that may suggest a Herpes infection, you should get tested as soon as possible. Better2Knows private STI testing services in the UK are performed in line with the highest standards of quality and care.
There Are 6 Main Types Of Sti Tests
Blood test
Your doctor can test for the following by taking a blood sample from your finger or arm:
Generally, your doctor will wait until they have the results from all the STI tests performed to call you.
If you still havent heard back after a week, dont assume the test was negative. Give em a ring to learn your results.
Congrats! Youve made the decision to take control of your health and learn your current STI status. But where the heck should you go to get tested if youre on a budget or dont have health insurance?
Heres where to go and what to know.
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How Is The Test Used
Herpes testing may be used a few different ways:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend screening for herpes in the general population, but it may be helpful in some cases, such as:
- If you have signs and symptoms, such as genital sores that may be related to herpes
- If you have or had a sex partner with genital herpes
- If you would like to have a complete exam for sexually transmitted diseases , especially if you have multiple sex partners if this is the case, you should discuss STD testing with your healthcare practitioner.
Treatment Of Genital Herpes
Genital herpes will clear by itself however, seeking treatment early can significantly reduce the time the outbreak lasts and can help the healing process. It also reduces the risk of you passing it on to someone else.
You will be given antivirals which work by preventing the virus from multiplying but it does not clear the virus from your body completely.
Treatment is usually started within five days of the start of the first outbreak. Treatment involves taking antiviral tablets daily for five days. There are various types of antivirals that may be prescribed, common ones include aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir.
INFORMATION
Antibiotics will not work because genital herpes is a virus not a bacteria. The treatment you buy for oral cold sores will not work either.
Some people find that another course of antivirals helps with further outbreaks. For people who have multiple outbreaks , they may be given longer courses of medication. This is known as suppressive treatment. This means taking antiviral medication for a longer time period.
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Genital Herpes And Pregnancy
Women with herpes before pregnancy can usually expect to have a healthy baby and a vaginal delivery.
If you have genital herpes during pregnancy, there’s a risk your baby could develop a serious illness called neonatal herpes.
This can be fatal, but most babies recover with antiviral treatment.
The risk of your baby getting neonatal herpes is low if you have had genital herpes before.
It’s higher if you get genital herpes for the first time in pregnancy.
Std Testing And Treatment After Assault
After being sexually assaulted, it is important that you get a sexual assault examination as soon as possible. If you seek medical care within 120 hours of the assault, the health care provider who sees you may give you medications for certain STDs in case you were exposed to the diseases during the assault. Because these medications are not 100% effective in preventing disease, it is still important that you are aware of what to look for and return to your health care provider in two or three weeks to assure that you have been effectively treated.
For HIV risk, post-exposure prophylaxis of antiretroviral drugs may be offered if the assault took place within 72 hours of your medical evaluation. PEP lowers the chances of HIV infection taking hold in the body after an exposure to HIV.
If you do not have a health care provider, there are many places that can provide low-cost or free, confidential testing for HIV and other STDs/STIs for victims of sexual assault, or anyone else who may have an infection. See Getting Tested for STDs and HIV below for more information.
Safe, effective treatment is available to cure gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Antibiotic treatment usually is based on the results of STD/STI tests. However, your physician may decide to treat you while waiting for the test results.
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Best For Fast Results
- Price: $45
- Type of Sample: Blood test
- Results: Online results in 1 to 2 days
STD Check has more than 4,500 testing sites nationwide. You can choose an individual test like HSV-1 or HSV-2 for $45 each. You can also order a 10-test panel, which includes the most common STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
The company is known for its fast test results, which are sent to your online account in 1 to 2 days.
Once you complete your order online, you can select a local testing center based on your ZIP code. According to the company, in-person tests only take 5 minutes.
Your test and results will be completely confidential. If your test results are positive, a physician can answer questions about your diagnosis.
Std Signs And Symptoms
Some STDs cause symptoms such as itching, pain, discharge, bleeding, genital sores, or lower abdominal pain. These symptoms may develop days, weeks, or even longer after a person becomes infected. But you canât depend on these symptoms to know if you are infected. Many people with an STD will not have any symptoms. Therefore, it is very important that you see a physician for an examination and STD tests to find out if you have been infected after a sexual assault, even if you donât have any symptoms.
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What Is The Difference Between Type
The technology behind the type-specific test is relatively new. The gold standard of type-specific blood tests is known as the Western Blot Serology.
A number of similar tests are produced for research purposes and commercial products are gradually becoming more available. These tests detect antibodies that differ between HSV-1 and HSV-2. It is now recommended that clinicians avoid serum tests other than type-specific tests.
Things You Can Do To Help
Antivirals are only designed to stop the virus multiplying and will not help your discomfort in the short term. For this, there are a few simple things you can do to ease the discomfort and speed up the healing process:
- Apply an ice pack or ice cubes in a plastic bag
- Take a cool shower to soothe the blisters
- Apply a local, over-the-counter anaesthetic cream such as lidocaine
- Gently bathe the area with warm salt water
- Carefully pat the area dry
- If weeing is painful, go to the toilet in a warm bath or shower
- Wash your hands before and after touching the infected area to avoid introducing bacteria
- Keep hydrated and drink extra fluids
- Wear loose, cotton clothing
- Use an over-the-counter painkiller to help with pain and discomfort
Avoid washing your genitals too often when you have an outbreak, as this wont help to alleviate the symptoms.
The antivirals are safe to use with hormonal contraception but talk to the person prescribing the treatment to make sure.
Genital herpes can be safely treated during pregnancy. It is important to discuss with your midwife if you have, or have had, herpes infections. The treatment you receive may depend on whether it is your first herpes infection and also where in the pregnancy you are but your midwife will advise you.
WARNING
It is strongly advised that you do not have any sexual contact before or during an outbreak and for a week after your symptoms have completely gone.
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Having sex for the first time
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What is virginity?
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Hiv/std Community Program Evening Clinic
Wake County Health & Human Services, HIV/STD Community Program has now resumed our evening clinic! We provide FREE and confidential HIV/STD testing for . Every Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 pm 7:30 pm at Wake County Health & Human Services, Clinic E, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh 27610. No appointment necessary.
Medicaid and insurance may be billed for individuals who have third-party coverage. Services are provided at the community testing sites listed below.
All HIV/STD tests are free and confidential.
The testing sites listed below are open to the general public unless otherwise specified.
College students should inquire about free STD testing and condoms at your colleges Health Service Center.
For information about Wake Countys HIV/STD program: Call: 919-250-3883
How Can People Test For Herpes
A person can ask for a herpes test at any sexual health clinic or at their doctors surgery. A healthcare professional will either swab a blister or draw a blood sample.
At-home herpes tests often require a blood sample through a finger prick.
Once a person receives their test results, they should contact a doctor to discuss treatment options, if necessary.
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Genital Herpes Treatment In Pregnancy
You may be offered antiviral treatment:
- to treat outbreaks in pregnancy
- from 36 weeks to reduce the chance of an outbreak during birth
- from diagnosis until the birth if you first get herpes after 28 weeks of pregnancy
Many women with genital herpes have a vaginal delivery. You may be offered a caesarean, depending on your circumstances.
What Affects The Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- If a culture sample is taken from a crusted, older sore.
- If a blood sample is taken before antibodies against HSV have formed. This period is called the window period or seroconversion period.
- If you are taking antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, or valacyclovir.
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How Quickly Do Std Symptoms Show Up
How long it takes for an STD to show up in testing is entirely dependent on the STD itself, how long its own incubation period is, and your own bodyâs immune response. You can test for some STDs, like chlamydia, only a day after potential exposure. Meanwhile, HIV and syphilis can take a month or more before you can accurately test for them. Itâs all pretty confusing but lucky for you, we created a nifty little chart that breaks down each STDâs average incubation period.
Risk Of Getting An Std From Sexual Assault
The STDs that are diagnosed most frequently after sexual assault include gonorrhea or chlamydia. The risk of acquiring gonorrhea or chlamydia from sexual assault is low. The chances of acquiring syphilis or genital herpes are even lower. The risk of becoming infected with HIV is extremely low.
If an STD is diagnosed after a sexual assault, it does not always mean that the infection was acquired during the assault. However, a post-assault examination provides an important opportunity to identify and treat undetected STDs. For example, a person may have an STD before being sexually assaulted. This could be the case when infected with chlamydia as about 3 out of 4 women and 1 out of 2 men will not have symptoms. Early treatment can prevent lasting harm.
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Book Your Instant Herpes Test
Better2Knows experienced sexual health advisors are available 24/7 to answer any questions regarding STIs or Better2Knows private STI testing services in the UK. You can also arrange your confidential booking at any time using the orange button at the top of the page. We will email or text you confirmation of your appointment with where to go and details of what you will get tested for.
You will also receive your patient login details. Our patient area provides exclusive access to Better2Knows STI factsheets and the anonymous partner notification service we offer, if you test positive. You can also view your appointment details, as well as a map and directions to Better2Knows sexual health clinic.
How Do I Know If I Have Genital Herpes
Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people who have herpes do not know it.
Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. These symptoms are sometimes called having an outbreak. The first time someone has an outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swollen glands.
People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can have repeated outbreaks, especially if they are infected with HSV-2. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the infection stays in the body for the rest of your life, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time.
You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly genital discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.
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Search For Low Cost Or Free Std Testing Locations Belows
If you think you need to be tested for STDs, we can help you find a testing center near you. Public testing is widely available mainly because of the easy-to-access county, state or city resources. However, there may be less privacy, pricing can be income dependent and wait times may be higher.
There are also thousands of private labs in the United States, such as Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, which you may also be familiar with. The appointments are fast, results usually arrive within 1-2 days and nobody knows why youre visiting so they offer more privacy. These labs have upfront transparent pricing but may end up costing a bit more than the public ones depending on your income.
Use our search and filters below to determine what works best for you.
Looking for a different city or location?
Test Type
Try above search to get nearest location around you.
Genital Herpes Is Common Why Doesnt Cdc Recommend Testing Everyone For This Std
CDC does not recommend herpes testing for people without symptoms. This is because diagnosing genital herpes in someone without symptoms has not shown any change in their sexual behavior nor has it stopped the virus from spreading. Also, false positive test results are possible. Even if you do not have symptoms, you should talk openly and honestly about your sexual history with your doctor to find out if you should be tested for any STDs, including herpes.
Although CDC does not recommend that everyone get tested for herpes, herpes testing may be useful in some situations. Herpes blood tests might be useful
- If you have genital symptoms that could be related to herpes,
- If you have a sex partner with genital herpes, or
- If you want a complete STD exam, especially if you have multiple sex partners.
Please note that while a herpes blood test can help determine if you have herpes infection, it will not be able to tell you who gave you the infection.
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Best For New Symptoms: Plushcare
PlushCare
Why We Chose It: If you think you may have herpes symptoms for the first time, blood tests are not accurate. Its best to see a doctorand PlushCare offers that from home because PlushCare is a telemedicine provider.
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Accepts insurance from several major companies
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A doctor may be able to diagnose you with herpes without testing, which is faster and less expensive than other options
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Meeting with a doctor allows you to ask questions and get educated about your sexual health concerns
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PlushCare is a telemedicine provider. It may be a good option for people who also need other online or at-home healthcare
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A doctor visit is required to access testing
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Youre not actually buying a herpes test. If your doctor doesnt think you need one, you may not be offered one
When you use PlushCare for STD testing, youre not purchasing an at-home herpes test. Instead, you are making a virtual appointment with a doctor to discuss your concerns about herpes and other STDs. Then, if the doctor thinks a test is warranted, he or she will write an order for a test and send you to fill it. Results are usually communicated to the doctor within 3-5 days, and then the doctor will follow up with you by telehealth and provide treatment or further testing as appropriate.