Testing Question

[jbrown123]

I am thinking of getting a Herpes blood test. It is now almost 15 weeks post exposure but however, I had a really painful episode around the 10th to 11th week on the penis tip which may or may not have been self infliced due to excessive self examination. Prior to that, I had penis irritation and sensitivity on and off for the previous 10 weeks or so. My question is assuming that the 10th/11th week episode is an initial herpes outbreak, would testing at 16 weeks be accurate/reliable? Or it does not matter as it is 16 weeks post exposure, therefore, the 16 week test can be reliable as plenty of time has been given ?

[jbrown123]

I read somewhere in the forum that those with prior HSV1 at 3 months only 73% and at 6 months only 83% show positive with the HerpeSelect. Does it mean I have to test all the way to 12 months ??

[jbrown123]

Doing it at 14 weeks 5 days or 15 weeks make any difference to the outcome?? The anxiety is killing me. How many % test positive at 15 weeks/16 weeks? How reliable is 16 weeks? What about the window period of up to 6 months? Should I test up to 6 months as well?

[gracefromHHP]

16 weeks is the appropriate time to test.

grace

[jbrown123]

Thank you for your prompt reply. Testing at 16 weeks would be reliable then ? Or is it necessary to wait longer?

[gracefromHHP]

it has nothing to do when symptoms occur - it's measured from the last time you had sex prior to symptoms.

grace