Herpes blood test

[starry_eyed]

So when im back in country for ten days i want to get a blood test to see which type i have. My insurance is kaiser and they offer what they callthe AB test which sees if u have antibodies, it doesnt do type specific testing. My local planned parenthood offers type 2 blood testing for $75. And theres various testing outlets that offer the igg that cost $150 which i cant afford. Should i just go for the latter option since i wont be able to test again until june 2014? Or is it still to early cause i was diagnosed feb 24 and would be getting tested june 10.

 

In the savage love podcast they say that a certain percentage by 12 have antibodies to hsv-2. What does that mean? Thst theyve been exposed to the virus and developed an immune response?

 

If i have a consult w a primary doctor and explain my symptoms will i be able to get a valtrex subscription? Or does she need positive herpes test results for that to happen?

 

Thanks all

[mr_hopp]

Hi starry_eyed! Sorry this message got buried before I was able to respond to it!

 

From what I've heard, 4 months should be enough time for your body to develop the antibodies (if you do have herpes) so that there are enough that a blood test for herpes can detect them. I've heard the IgG test is the best, followed by the Western Blot. If you want a definitive test result, I'd go for one of those in my opinion.

 

And it's really hit and miss when it comes to whether a doctor will give you a prescription simply by explaining your symptoms. I just read on someone else's post on these forums ... here's the link:

http://herpeslife.com/herpes-forum/discussion/1065/suppressive-therapy-and-herpes-outbreaks/p1

... that a doctor wouldn't give a prescription for herpes medication unless they were able to come in during an outbreak (even though the blood test showed they had herpes). I would call around to doctors to see. Apparently it's a case-by-case basis. I imagine that you would at least need proof that you indeed have herpes, either by swabbing an outbreak or a definitive blood test. But requiring both is outrageous. ;)