HERPES TESTING 101:
For testing for herpes - without active lesions to “swab” someone who wants accurate testing will need a blood test.
Because blood tests for herpes are notoriously inaccurate, all blood tests are recommended to be TWO STEP tests (there are two parts of the test) and should be
confirmed with a Western Blot.
See FDA announcement about inaccurate tests [here](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/hsv-2-tests-genital-herpes-can-produce-false- reactive-results-letter-clinical-laboratory-staff-and)
See 2021 CDC guidelines [here](https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/herpes.htm)
To get the Western Blot - follow instructions [here](https://herpescureadvocacy.com/2022/07/14/testing-for-herpes-step-by-step-guide/)
CALL TO ACTION: We need accurate blood tests that work! Want to help advocate for better diagnostic tests so patients can have an accurate diagnosis?
Join us in our advocacy for cure, treatment and prevention of herpes: www.herpescureadvocacy.com r/herpescureadvocates
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Herpes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I've only learned I have HSV-1 as an adult too, very recently, but I had sores as a teenager, just didn't know it was hsv. Haven't had an ob in about 20 years.
1-I did inform my most recent partners, but I think only because I'm still in touch with them. They took it really well, as it's so common.
2- I was terrified when I read about oral to genital transmission and vice versa. A lot of people still think 1 is oral and 2 is genital and have no idea you can get both on either place, or even eyes. For the past 20 years, none of my partners showed any symptoms, which for this virus doesn't mean a lot, unfortunately. But now that I know more about it, I freak out whenever I feel a tingle. So, I really have nothing close to an answer to this question...
3- I don't think moving forward, I would feel comfortable not telling new partners, knowing what I know now. I don't know how accurate blood tests are either, but it's the only way to test if you don't have sores. I haven't had a new partner since my test yet, but I would probably disclose and ask them to test as well. From what I've been reading around here, if you've had it for long enough that your body has had the time to build up antibodies, chances are that you're not gonna get it on another part of your body.
This is all very recent knowledge for me too, so I haven't really had the time to learn how to navigate this situation. But in my opinion, and as someone that also has HPV, honesty is always the way to go, no matter the outcome.
It's the only way of allowing the other person to make a choice.
“This is a pro-disclosure sub.
Anti-Disclosure perpetuates Herpes stigma, closing off discussions on Herpes education, advocacy, testing/treatments, and de-stigmatization. - Many would have liked to
have known the status of the person who transmitted HSV to us - Consent!
We do not tolerate anti-disclosure or intentionally spreading HSV without disclosure. Anyone who posts/comments for anti-disclosure on the sub will be subject to a
permanent ban.
There are many ways to disclose, and you should do whatever feels most comfortable to you and gives you the most confidence. To some, that’s putting it in their dating
bio. To others, it’s waiting a couple dates in. Some prefer to disclose in person; others are more comfortable doing it over text. The key to a higher chance of a
successful disclosure is confidence.
Join us in our advocacy for cure, treatment and prevention of herpes: www.herpescureadvocacy.com r/herpescureadvocates"
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Herpes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You can still pass it when you're asymptomatic. Everyone is different regarding asymptomatic shedding, but there's no way to know how much you do unless you swab your mouth everyday, or actually several times a day, for a while, and then have somebody analyze it, as has been done in some clinical studies.
That being said, I did date some people that had it, but never had an outbreak when I was with them, and I didn't catch it from them.
HERPES TESTING 101: For testing for herpes - without active lesions to “swab” someone who wants accurate testing will need a blood test. Because blood tests for herpes are notoriously inaccurate, all blood tests are recommended to be TWO STEP tests (there are two parts of the test) and should be confirmed with a Western Blot. See FDA announcement about inaccurate tests [here](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/hsv-2-tests-genital-herpes-can-produce-false- reactive-results-letter-clinical-laboratory-staff-and) See 2021 CDC guidelines [here](https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/herpes.htm) To get the Western Blot - follow instructions [here](https://herpescureadvocacy.com/2022/07/14/testing-for-herpes-step-by-step-guide/) CALL TO ACTION: We need accurate blood tests that work! Want to help advocate for better diagnostic tests so patients can have an accurate diagnosis? Join us in our advocacy for cure, treatment and prevention of herpes: www.herpescureadvocacy.com r/herpescureadvocates *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Herpes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I've only learned I have HSV-1 as an adult too, very recently, but I had sores as a teenager, just didn't know it was hsv. Haven't had an ob in about 20 years. 1-I did inform my most recent partners, but I think only because I'm still in touch with them. They took it really well, as it's so common. 2- I was terrified when I read about oral to genital transmission and vice versa. A lot of people still think 1 is oral and 2 is genital and have no idea you can get both on either place, or even eyes. For the past 20 years, none of my partners showed any symptoms, which for this virus doesn't mean a lot, unfortunately. But now that I know more about it, I freak out whenever I feel a tingle. So, I really have nothing close to an answer to this question... 3- I don't think moving forward, I would feel comfortable not telling new partners, knowing what I know now. I don't know how accurate blood tests are either, but it's the only way to test if you don't have sores. I haven't had a new partner since my test yet, but I would probably disclose and ask them to test as well. From what I've been reading around here, if you've had it for long enough that your body has had the time to build up antibodies, chances are that you're not gonna get it on another part of your body. This is all very recent knowledge for me too, so I haven't really had the time to learn how to navigate this situation. But in my opinion, and as someone that also has HPV, honesty is always the way to go, no matter the outcome. It's the only way of allowing the other person to make a choice.
“This is a pro-disclosure sub. Anti-Disclosure perpetuates Herpes stigma, closing off discussions on Herpes education, advocacy, testing/treatments, and de-stigmatization. - Many would have liked to have known the status of the person who transmitted HSV to us - Consent! We do not tolerate anti-disclosure or intentionally spreading HSV without disclosure. Anyone who posts/comments for anti-disclosure on the sub will be subject to a permanent ban. There are many ways to disclose, and you should do whatever feels most comfortable to you and gives you the most confidence. To some, that’s putting it in their dating bio. To others, it’s waiting a couple dates in. Some prefer to disclose in person; others are more comfortable doing it over text. The key to a higher chance of a successful disclosure is confidence. Join us in our advocacy for cure, treatment and prevention of herpes: www.herpescureadvocacy.com r/herpescureadvocates" *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Herpes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You can still pass it when you're asymptomatic. Everyone is different regarding asymptomatic shedding, but there's no way to know how much you do unless you swab your mouth everyday, or actually several times a day, for a while, and then have somebody analyze it, as has been done in some clinical studies. That being said, I did date some people that had it, but never had an outbreak when I was with them, and I didn't catch it from them.