>HERPES TESTING INFORMATION FOR CANADIANS<

[OttMar]

Since reading a lot of post from Canadians confused about HSV testing in Canada and getting nowhere I decided to clear some things up.

Herpes (HSV 1 and 2) IgM and IgG blood testing IS available in Canada. Blood tests were aproved by Health Canada either in 2006 or 2007.

It is done by private or public labs.

Private lab doing testing is done by “Gamma-Dynacare”. Their lab uses the “Herpe Select” Immunoblot test for HSV. It does both Igm/IgG testing if required. This test is NOT covered by Public Health Plan - Cost is 140$  Lab is based in Montreal. The turn around time is 1-2 weeks.

The test by Immunoblot  HSV1 is 92%-100% accurate.
The test by Immunoblot HSV2 is 98%-100% accurate.

Public Health (in Ontario at least) does IgG HSV  ELISA/EIA testing. It is free but only if your referring doctor or the lab where the blood is drawn requests Public Health to do the actual testing. The test in NOT type specific ie. It will not differentiate between type 1 or 2, the public lab does not do type specific testing at all! If you want type specific (HSV 1 or 2 ) you must go through the private lab.  The turn around time is 1-2 weeks.

Public Health Toronto Lab does the blood testing.
Public Health Kingston does the lesion swab testing.

Toronto Virology lab # 1-416-235-5731.
Kingston lab # 1-613-548-6638

Gamma-Dynacare #  

London
Toll-free 1-800-265-5946
Local [phone]

Ottawa
Toll-free 1-800-267-9514
Local [phone]

Toronto
Toll-free 1-800-565-5721
Local [phone]


All this information is 100% accurate. I contacted both Gamma-Dynacare and Public Health multiple times to make sure my information was correct. The private lab has a web page for HSV testing information:

http://www.gdml.ca/clinicians/clinicians_test_directory.aspx

Look for HERPES SIMPLEX IGM/IGG testing.

Note: Most doctors in Canada unfortunately are not aware that blood testing is available, they can refuse you if you ask or tell you that it is inaccurate or difficult to do. Some will only test IF you have actual active lesion present. DO not take NO for an answer. Search for a different doctor if possible. Walk in clinics are notorious for refusing to do blood testing and most city STD clinics do not do HSV testing. For info on any particular province and where testing is done please call the Gamma or Public Health numbers and they should be able to help you out.

Any further info, questions comments please PM me by all means.

Could someone place a sticky on this so it stays up top?

[HowardH]

I stand by my previous comments on non-type specific HSV testing (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Nonspecific-IGG-test-Trustworthy-/show/2409842). Also read my last comment in that thread.

You have had repeated comments and advice from knowledgeable people trying to reassure you, but you continue to ignore it. We're trying to help, for goodness' sake!

[ParanoidGuy1010]

Bump

[ParanoidGuy1010]

Grace,
What are your thoughts on the non-specific IGG testing? I've read that these tests have a lower accuracy than that of type-specific ones, but have been given contrary information by a responder on the HSV forum, who claimed they are MORE accurate, and show positive results sooner.
I was tested at 82 days post exposure (almost 12 weeks), and received a negative result. However, I continue to experience red spots following intercourse and thus continue to harbour doubt as to the diagnosis.

[gracefromHHP]

great job!  I was going to pm you about doing this when I read your other post and it jus slipped my mind. glad we are on the same wave length though :)   ( well that could be very dangerous for you to think like me...lol )

grace

[OttMar]

Posted in the journal!

[OttMar]

I'm going to have to figure out how to Journal this, can it be a sticky?

[gracefromHHP]

You must've been reading my mind! Can you journal this too so that folks can find it easily for more info?  No idea why it's so hard to get proper herpes testing in canada when the rates of hsv1 and hsv2 are the same as in the US - 1 out of 4 for hsv2.

fyi - don't bother with igm testing - just igg.

grace

[OttMar]

Your Doc will not give  you a note? Are you serious? Why not?

Its a virology blood testing request form, not the typical bacterial, urine workup. The form has HSV listed there - te doc just has to write what type of test you request (IGG or IGM)My doctor had to go to a STD conference to find out how to test for HSV before she would give me the referral.

She had it at her office all this time but had no clue how to fill it out, i do not know if they differ from office to office.

[2manysymptoms]

thanks for the information I will get a doctors note from a walk in since my gp won't give me one. cheers

[OttMar]

You need a referal by a doctor for the test. The lab just does the actual testing but they still need the paperwork.

My doc had some old virology forms which were pikish yellow  and she had to put HSV 1 and 2 immunity testing, meaning only IGG.
When you go to get your blood drawn they would get you to pay the 140$ and send it off to Montreal.

But make sure they DO NOT send the sample to Public Health and still charge you for it, thats what happened to me and the only way I found out was when I called Gamma and asked how long my resuls will take then they told me  Public Health had the sample and I was being refunded the 140$. Someone screwed up and sent it to Public Health and still nailed me with the fee.

[2manysymptoms]

hello I am in Hamilton- so do I just walk into a gamma lab and ask them to give me a test? do i have to show my health card if I am paying for it?