Herpes Blood Testing

[typ123]

About ten months ago, I made the brilliant decision to "raw dog" a waste container of a woman from an after hours club. I'm afraid that I may have contracted genital herpes, and I want to get a blood test.

There's just one problem. I've called several hospitals and clinics in Chiang Mai and have spoken with lab technicians about herpes blood testing. Either they offer IgM, which is useless, or they off IgG without type specificity (type 1 or type 2).

So my question for you ladies and gentlemen is: where in Chiang Mai can I get an IgG herpes simplex antibody blood test WITH type specificity? Taking the test without specificity is pretty much useless. It doesn't tell you which type you have. You may or may not already know, but type specificity absolutely DOES exist for herpes testing.

This is driving me insane and I would truly appreciate any information if you have any. Cheers.

Edited November 28, 2015 by typ123

[h90]

Well why not take the IgG without type specificity first?

If it is negative you save yourself the thinking.

(what is different in treatment between the types? (I have Herpes Simplex as symbiont (it reminds me to live healthy and I provide a cosy place inside my nose)).

[Sheryl]

Because a very high percentage of people -- the great majority - will at some time in their life contacted oral herpes (HSV-1) and so be positive due to that. Hence it is useless in identifying genital herpes.

Unfortunately I don't know where this might be available in CM...or even for that matter in Bangkok.

You may simply have to wait it out and see if you become symptomatic (in which case they can culture the lesions).

You can however, get tested for Hepatitis B and HIV easily enough and should.

[GinBoy2]

Don't stress too much even if you have herpes, it's not the end of the world. I've lived with herpes for 30 years, maybe I've had two outbreaks, after the initial attack.

Get a test, then act accordingly but really it's not a big deal, many people live in total ignorance that they even have it.

Now before the morality police get on my case, I'm not promoting unsafe sex etc, just attempting to put herpes into cosmic perspective...it's not cancer!

Edited November 28, 2015 by GinBoy2

[happynthailand]

go see a doctor he can order the blood test,simple,don't loss sleep over it

[Gonsalviz]

If it hasn't manifested in 2-3 weeks, fugetaboutit.

[typ123]

Well why not take the IgG without type specificity first?

If it is negative you save yourself the thinking.

(what is different in treatment between the types? (I have Herpes Simplex as symbiont (it reminds me to live healthy and I provide a cosy place inside my nose)).

That is a positive way of looking at it. That herpes motivates you to live more healthy and keep your immune system strong, and to be more careful when it comes to sex. Since I had the symptoms about 10 months ago, I've had about 5 breakouts. I'm not even really sure if it is herpes. I would just like to have a blood test confirm 100% if it is because I would be relieved with either result. I just hate being in herpes purgatory. It could be a recurrent fungal infection, jock itch, male yeast infection..I don't know. I never had an itching or pain, but I did have small blisters that formed ulcers on my glans. I had some nerve issues around my pelvic area and some lymph node swelling down there.

[GarryP]

Well why not take the IgG without type specificity first?

If it is negative you save yourself the thinking.

(what is different in treatment between the types? (I have Herpes Simplex as symbiont (it reminds me to live healthy and I provide a cosy place inside my nose)).

That is a positive way of looking at it. That herpes motivates you to live more healthy and keep your immune system strong, and to be more careful when it comes to sex. Since I had the symptoms about 10 months ago, I've had about 5 breakouts. I'm not even really sure if it is herpes. I would just like to have a blood test confirm 100% if it is because I would be relieved with either result. I just hate being in herpes purgatory. It could be a recurrent fungal infection, jock itch, male yeast infection..I don't know. I never had an itching or pain, but I did have small blisters that formed ulcers on my glans. I had some nerve issues around my pelvic area and some lymph node swelling down there.

I don't think you need testing. If you've had blisters down there, that pretty much confirms it. The only similar thing in appearance (but without the pain and discomfort) could be lichen nitidus, but that is extremely unlikely.

[smacko]

Next time you have a suspected breakout, go to the Dr and get a swab test. They no longer blood test for herpes in many countries due to false results.

[Sheryl]

Well why not take the IgG without type specificity first?

If it is negative you save yourself the thinking.

(what is different in treatment between the types? (I have Herpes Simplex as symbiont (it reminds me to live healthy and I provide a cosy place inside my nose)).

That is a positive way of looking at it. That herpes motivates you to live more healthy and keep your immune system strong, and to be more careful when it comes to sex. Since I had the symptoms about 10 months ago, I've had about 5 breakouts. I'm not even really sure if it is herpes. I would just like to have a blood test confirm 100% if it is because I would be relieved with either result. I just hate being in herpes purgatory. It could be a recurrent fungal infection, jock itch, male yeast infection..I don't know. I never had an itching or pain, but I did have small blisters that formed ulcers on my glans. I had some nerve issues around my pelvic area and some lymph node swelling down there.

It does sound like you have herpes. If you are already symptomatic there is no need to think about immunological blood tests. Wait for the next outbreak and see a doctor then. They can do a swab and culture the lesion to give definitve result.

[typ123]

I did a swab test on a blister that had already crusted over, it wasnt an open sore. The test game back negative for herpes. I also had 2 doctors look at it and say it wasnt herpes, and 2 others said it was herpes. I guess the best thing to do would be to get a tissue sample taken if I have another outbreak, then get that tested in the lab.

[typ123]

So nearly 400 people have read this form and NO ONE knows any information about a legitimate herpes blood test in Thailand? The IgG antibody test with specificity is pretty standard in most countries. I don't understand why this is such a problem. I guess I'm going to have to order a test from overseas.

[Ks45672]

I got tested in rama 9, you will have to specifically ask for it as it isn't included otherwise

It's cost around 3000 and the results take a week iirc but they are able to tell you if you have it but not how long ago got it etc so it's impossible to know if you got it from current partner or a previous.....

[Sheryl]

He's in CM, not Bkk.

If anyplace in CM can do it, would be the University Hospital. Suggest you try an infectious disease specialist at Sripat.

[Water Buffalo]

How long does each outbreak last? (roughly a week?)

How does it progress? (blister - burst - heal?)

How may blisters do you get? (4-6?)

Same place each time?