Canada - no tests here?

[ana695]

I am in Canada.  I think I have herpes on my buttox.  I have been to 2 seperate doctors 2 times.  Both times, I requested a swab or a blood test, both times, the doctor refused, just gave me drugs.  They said the swab was "unneccessary", and that the blood test was "unavailable in Canada", and even if it was, it would be a "waste of time because most everybody has the herpes virus anyway - 90% of the population" and that "it can't differentiate between 1 or 2".  Another thing they said was that they "could order the test from the US, but it would also cost $300.00 from my pocket, and it would be a waste if time."  IS THIS TRUE?!  WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE THERE IS BETTER CARE IN THE US?  Are there any Canadians out there who have had different treatment?!
My hubby and I want to have kids (we have been together 8 years and are in our mid 30's) - I want to know this information, as a logical parent-to-be.  Also, I would like to know if HE HAS IT and how it would alter our lives before, during and after pregnancy.  We can't find anyone to test us!  We have been to seperate doctors in seperate cities - same result.  Any advice?!

[gracefromHHP]

Are you in canada notebookromance?  did you get diagnosed thru a lesion culture of active symptoms or thru a blood test?  The original poster was voicing concerns about not being able to get her partner tested which since he lacks obvious symptoms to get a lesion culture of is proving to be difficult in her area of canada.  They also unfortunately are refusing to test her lesions to confirm that they are hsv2 which is also further aggravating her.

grace

[notebookromance]

Hi, im 16 and I went to a GYN, and they figured everything out. It didn't cost any money, he checked it out, took a test, i have HSV2 and they prescribed valtrex, so your going to some pretty screwy doctors because i know for a fact they do them and everything.

[van33]

I can verify that the Canadian medical practices are screwed ,the only way I've herd of someone actually getting an HSV test done up here was through a Gyn.and is still not easy to do from what i've herd you have to fake a serious condition or have pregnancy complications.Up here  you dont even have the option to pay for it ,somehow that really needs to change.Crossing the border at the moment is the only for sure way to get the tests done.

[gracefromHHP]

You can get a herpes select igg blood test done in canada by a canadian lab.  Your doctor needs to look into it more and you will have to pay out of pocket unless you can get an infectious disease specialist to order it or a gyn to order it from what I understand from fellow canadian posters.  Most doctor's there only think their only option is the non-type specific blood test which is pretty much a waste of time.  http://www.mdsdx.com/MDS_Metro_Laboratories/About_Us/Locations.asp  offers type specific testing - they used to offer the herpes select. Have your doctor contact them for more info.

If you live close to the US border then I recommend ordering up the blood tests yourself thru healthcheckusa.com or tstd.org and taking a road trip to the closest clinic near you to have the blood tests done. Sucks I know.  

Wish I had better answers for you - canada seems to have their head stuck in the sand when it comes to herpes :(

grace