testing for herpes

[elton0707]

After a visual examination, my doctor advised i have herpes. He advised that he is positive that it is herpes based on his examination. Should i request a blood test to confirm, or should i just assume my doctor's diagnosis is correct based on visual exam. Also, will you please clarify the dormancy period. I have been with my wife for 13yrs, a monogamous relationship. She has never had any signs/symtons of herpes. She has been tested for STD's while pregnant (twice). And during her OB GYN visits there have been no STD's found from her blood tests. Thank you for your reply. Should she get tested.

[worried0000113]

I don't understand why ANY doctor would diagnose herpes without taking a culture. Even if he is a billion percent sure its herpes, he can't know which type it is by looking at it. If you should happen to have herpes, management and the chances of spreading it to your partner depend on correctly identifying which type it is.

Completely irresponsible. Tell him to educate himself on current diagnostic procedures for Herpes simplex.

[petal130]

Sadly a visual diagnosis can be wrong about 1/3 of the time. He should have done a lesion culture, assuming you had symptoms.

Yes, get a blood test at this point - both you and your wife should be tested to know what's what, and what precautions may need to be taken (if any). An IgG type specific blood test is what you want.