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I was going to suggest the same. The health department might be another option.
You could also look into MDLabTests. The HSV test is just under $60. You get the order online and take it to the closest lab (usually some place like Lab Corp.)
While they can take blood and do an antibody test for the virus, it's not the most accurate way of testing. This is the type of test that will most likely be given to a person at a STI testing facility. This test may not even detect the virus if you are recently infected. The only 100% test, is when you get the fluid from blisters tested. You can get tested quarterly and after a year, if nothing is detected, you can assume you are good to go. When I used to get tested, it cost around 350, with results in 3 days. If you want to do this anonymously, I can highly recommend stdtestexpress......you find a lab locally and go in and get the blood tests, takes around 30 minutes.
While they can take blood and do an antibody test for the virus, it's not the most accurate way of testing. This is the type of test that will most likely be given to a person at a STI testing facility. This test may not even detect the virus if you are recently infected. The only 100% test, is when you get the fluid from blisters tested. You can get tested quarterly and after a year, if nothing is detected, you can assume you are good to go. When I used to get tested, it cost around 350, with results in 3 days. If you want to do this anonymously, I can highly recommend stdtestexpress......you find a lab locally and go in and get the blood tests, takes around 30 minutes.
I was looking at the HSV test options on MDLabTest.com and they say that they won't be able to distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 if I test positive. The people at stdtestexpress.com claim that they can (it is also a blood test). They also told me that I could pay for the test through my insurance and I would still not see an increase in my premium if I were to test positive (it is billed in an anonymous fashion). I thought that was a bit odd. What do you think?
That site is a parked site not an active website. What's odd about the billing? Since when does your insurer ever get test results? When providers bill insurers they tell what services were provided not the outcome of those services.
I was looking at the HSV test options on MDLabTest.com and they say that they won't be able to distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 if I test positive. The people at stdtestexpress.com claim that they can (it is also a blood test). They also told me that I could pay for the test through my insurance and I would still not see an increase in my premium if I were to test positive (it is billed in an anonymous fashion). I thought that was a bit odd. What do you think?
I don't know, I always paid cash, never involved my insurance, since it was done at my discretion. Well, IMO, they are full of it, because it's not a guarantee that they can find the virus, because when they take the blood test, they are looking for the antibodies that the body uses to fight the infection. If you recently had contact, then there is a good chance that the blood test won't find anything. It could be in your system and undetected. The only 100% test is when they test the fluid in a blister. So if you have a cluster, of blisters, you go to the lab, and they extract fluid from one.
The way that stdtestexpress does it, is you register online, go to the lab, pay the lab. Three days later, you log in, and your test results are online. So basically, unless you have blisters, you can't really tell for sure with one test.
I don't know, I always paid cash, never involved my insurance, since it was done at my discretion. Well, IMO, they are full of it, because it's not a guarantee that they can find the virus, because when they take the blood test, they are looking for the antibodies that the body uses to fight the infection. If you recently had contact, then there is a good chance that the blood test won't find anything. It could be in your system and undetected. The only 100% test is when they test the fluid in a blister. So if you have a cluster, of blisters, you go to the lab, and they extract fluid from one.
The way that stdtestexpress does it, is you register online, go to the lab, pay the lab. Three days later, you log in, and your test results are online. So basically, unless you have blisters, you can't really tell for sure with one test.
How would you ever tell then if you are asymptomatic? Can't for sure? I have not had any blisters.
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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Originally Posted by Caldus
How would you ever tell then if you are asymptomatic? Can't for sure? I have not had any blisters.
That may be the case. It is true for HPV with men as well. You may never know. Best consult with your physician though, I would hope detection methods are constantly changing.
Oh come off it, it is super common. I'm negative for it as of my last test, but have dated people that have it. Not that huge a deal and precautions can be taken (they both took meds for it). If you've slept with a handful of people in your life the odds are huge you've slept with someone that had it.
Anyway, OP, if you're near a major metro area (and probably most mid size metro areas), there are STD clinics at many of the largest hospitals that are free/donation only, and not tied to your med insurance / doctors office. This is the one for the Boston area: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Testing and Treatment- MGH
Look for something similar in your area. If you're having trouble, contact a local gay health alliance type group in your area and they'll know who offers what.
Right! I guess in some "clusters" of the population.
OP---I suggest if you test clean, that in the future you use some sort of barrier--- if you are gong to choose to sleep with carriers of disease.
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by picklejuice
Right! I guess in some "clusters" of the population.
OP---I suggest if you test clean, that in the future you use some sort of barrier--- if you are gong to choose to sleep with carriers of disease.
Across the population. Not in some "clusters". It is far more common than most people think with some estimates indicating over a third of the population has been exposed.
Oh, and there are no barriers that prevent the transmission of HPV or HSV2. Condoms, etc do not stop the spread. HPV at least has a vaccine now.
Right! I guess in some "clusters" of the population.
OP---I suggest if you test clean, that in the future you use some sort of barrier--- if you are gong to choose to sleep with carriers of disease.
That is untrue, but, I can't help but to wonder what "clusters" of the population do you think has this?
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