ABC of Herpes screening

As our title suggests, the aim here is to give you the tools to (A) recognize the symptoms of Genital Herpes, and (B) know where to access the care to treat it. Before discussing the process of Herpes testing, a small amount of background is necessary. There are two types of Herpes (otherwise known as the Herpes Simplex Virus): HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 causes fever blisters, or cold sores, on the lips and mouth, and is more an annoying infection than a disease. HSV-2 is Genital Herpes.

However, similar to HSV-2, Genital Herpes can lie dormant in the nerves, becoming active when our immune system is low: in other words, when we are stressed, worried, under emotional pressure, or simply not taking care of ourselves. One worrisome aspect of the two different strains is that neither of them ever really goes away. While the first is more a bother than anything else, there is one complication that’s important to remember: if you have HSV-1(oral herpes), it can be transmitted during oral sex to the genital area of your partner from your lips or mouth. It is important to avoid intimacy during flare-ups of HSV-1.

Clearly, the easiest way of being infected with Genital Herpes is by engaging in some form of sexual contact with a person who already has the disease. Although some people never develop symptoms, the clearest physical sign of Genital Herpes is small, fluid-filled blisters around or on the penis, scrotum, vulva, or buttocks. The blisters can also appear on the mouth if they’ve been spread there during oral sex. When Genital Herpes is active, it can be painful to urinate; the lymph nodes in the groin can be swollen; aching muscles in the thighs, backside or knees, fever, and flu-ish feelings are also common. As with HSV-1, the skin tingles at the place where the blisters will appear. However, in Genital Herpes the blisters are much more painful, and the virus leads to ulcers on the skin, which is a good reason for Herpes testing if you think you have it!

The first type of Herpes test takes place when one already has an outbreak of blisters, or sores, on the skin on or around the genitals. The STD doctor at a clinic takes a very small sample of the liquid from the blister, which is the most accurate way of seeing if one has Genital Herpes. A blood test is another way of knowing if one has ever been infected with the Herpes. It’s important to remember that a blood test can be positive even if you have never had symptoms of Genital Herpes (HSV-2).

If a Herpes test is positive, your doctor will advise you about medication against the virus (acyclovir, for example), which will help stop the discomfort, and make the virus go dormant again. Genital Herpes has aspects to it that make it not as serious as some STDs, but it is much more serious than others. Some complications are as follws: pregnant women who have an outbreak of Genital Herpes at the time of giving birth can pass the virus to the baby. And, babies infected during pregnancy may be born premature, or develop meningitis, for example. In individuals who are HIV positive, the virus can affect other parts of the body (the spine, lungs, eyes, or the brain).

It’s important to stress that Genital Herpes, like HSV-1, can’t be cured, which means that if you become infected, it’s vital for you to take good care of yourself, because if you don’t, you can trigger another outbreak. Also, using medication can reduce the risk of passing the HSV-2 virus (genital Herpes) to another person.

Inform yourself, and remember how important Herpes testing is in staying healthy. If you live in NYC and would like to get STD testing by a board certified STD clinic, log onto genital herpes testing for more information. STD Clinic of New York is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and is therefore easily accessible by all means of public transportation. To ask any questions, or to book a convenient appointment, simply call 1-212-696-5900 to speak to a staff member.