Aa
cervical/vaginal testing
Back in March, I had a pap smear done in my OB/GYN office. I knew they were going to do a swab. I thought it was just for basic things like BV, yeast, etc. I asked for a copy of it when it came back and apparently the office is using a new diagnostic company that runs a "STI molecular profile." This profile tested my cervical/vaginal fluid for about 12 different diseases-sexually related and not. It included Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 on the profile. Nothing was detected. I called the diagnostic company and a customer rep said their tests were close to 100% accurate because they can test for herpes from any body fluid. Is this true? Would my results be reliable to prove that I don't have a herpes infection? Anyone ever heard of this? I think the lab results said they used PCR testing.
The test is very sensitive but no where near as good as you describe.
2 Comments
but let's just say I got tested for a month straight and it all came back negative. In your opinion would it be safe to say that I don't have it genitally
Please stay in your own thread for questions/conversation related to your own experience and testing. Thank you.
Herpes is not in bodily fluids. This is why blood tests look for antibodies and not the virus. Hsv is an infection that lives in the nerve path and comes out on the skin. Not bodily fluids.
The test can still look for the virus as it could be shedding at the time, but it sheds from the skin
The test can still look for the virus as it could be shedding at the time, but it sheds from the skin
3 Comments
my doctor gave me the same test and it came back undetected. If the test is looking for the DNA of the herpes virus, shouldn't it be reliable because it is a part of you just like the DNA that makes up you as an individual? Your DNA is your DNA and doesn't go away. It is always present. It's like your fingerprint or blood sample, it contains your DNA. So wouldn't it make sense to say that herpes DNA is a part of you as well and should be detected in fluids if present?
that's what I thought. Why do doctor's order these panels if they are not reliable? I've heard that these same panels are being done in conjunction with pap smears more frequently so if they are only reliable during an outbreak, why run them as routine tests. I just don't understand.
My doctor says that negative means negative
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
