Sexual health

Amy 323

Hi I'm not sure if this is allowed here or if there is a certain section I should post to?? but I'm just enquiring if anyone knows of any place in Cork city that I could get a hsv (herpes) blood test?? It has to be a type specific Igg blood test for type 1 and 2. I'd appreciate any feedback or advice at all thank you.

Wesser

Ive never heard of anyone having it done before.
What's the specific problem that you have that you want this test?
I presume its something you have googled as opposed to something a doctor has advised?

ladystardust

You may have to search for a private blood test. Usually gum clinics will not do the bloods. It really depends in thr situation as the bloods aren't always helpful. For instance an IgG will only show exposure and not positively confirm previous acute infection.

Rolling Stone

HSE website states that you should visit your local sexual health clinic. This would be at the South Infirmary. Alternatively, you should see your GP. You should be able to get a blood test either way.

Amy 323

Wesser wrote: »

Ive never heard of anyone having it done before.
What's the specific problem that you have that you want this test?
I presume its something you have googled as opposed to something a doctor has advised?

Hi thanks for replying. It's the only test that can confirm which type you have in the absence of the typical genital symptoms

Amy 323

ladystardust wrote: »

You may have to search for a private blood test. Usually gum clinics will not do the bloods. It really depends in thr situation as the bloods aren't always helpful. For instance an IgG will only show exposure and not positively confirm previous acute infection.

Yes thank you. I'm having problems finding anywhere that does it. The igg blood test will tell me if I have the antibodies for a certain type in my blood in the absence of the more typical genital symptoms

Amy 323

Rolling Stone wrote: »

HSE website states that you should visit your local sexual health clinic. This would be at the South Infirmary. Alternatively, you should see your GP. You should be able to get a blood test either way.

Tha k you for replying the sexual health clinic does not do the blood test. It's actually not part of a full std panel. Which it realy should be. As it can be asymptomatic

Wesser

Amy 323 wrote: »

Hi thanks for replying. It's the only test that can confirm which type you have in the absence of the typical genital symptoms

Why do you need to know what type you have? What difference does it make?

These tests are very expensive for the HSE and dont alter your care.


Both type 1 and 2 can be sexually transmitted.

Honestly i think you should just talk to a doctor instead of just googling these things.

manonboard

Recently had to deal with this myself OP.
I taught it worth sharing that the view of herpes as an Sti is becoming a bit outdated. The medical community is now viewing it as a skin condition. The reason being that its so prevalent in society for people who never contracted it from sexual encounters. So many children get passed it during infancy.
I had so much trouble trying to find a place to test for it for those reasons. In the end I gave up n they convinced me to just view it as a skin condition.
May I ask why you need to know the type? I know they'll do a swab quickly if you ever have an outbreak.

Rolling Stone

If this is something that you’re determined to pursue then it would be worth contacting some of the private hospitals or private consultants clinics to see if they offer a test. You would likely need a GP referral for any private appointment. It would likely cost between €100-200 for any private appointment on top of any GP visit fee.

As manonboard said, HSV is widely prevalent in the community, particularly HSV1. If you have any significant concerns you should visit your GP for starters.

Amy 323

Wesser wrote: »

Why do you need to know what type you have? What difference does it make?

These tests are very expensive for the HSE and dont alter your care.


Both type 1 and 2 can be sexually transmitted.

Honestly i think you should just talk to a doctor instead of just googling these things.

As any other test bar this one will only tell you that you have antibodies for this virus in your blood not which type. It matters quite alot wether it's type 1 or type 2, as type 2 is genital and type 1 while it can be genital not when you have a previous oral infection. It matters very much when going into a new relationship, disclosing and ensuring it us not transmitted to anyone else.
I did not pluck this from thin air I've done alot of research Ireland is just as up to date with testing yet. I was planning to pay private so no cost to the hse at all. Thank you for your input.

Amy 323

manonboard wrote: »

Recently had to deal with this myself OP.
I taught it worth sharing that the view of herpes as an Sti is becoming a bit outdated. The medical community is now viewing it as a skin condition. The reason being that its so prevalent in society for people who never contracted it from sexual encounters. So many children get passed it during infancy.
I had so much trouble trying to find a place to test for it for those reasons. In the end I gave up n they convinced me to just view it as a skin condition.
May I ask why you need to know the type? I know they'll do a swab quickly if you ever have an outbreak.

In the absence of the typical outbreak and nothing to swab right now a blood test is the next step. I'd rather go to all this trouble and expense rather than carry on regardless and transmit to someone else even with protection.

ladystardust

If you have symptoms of herpes get a swab test. It doesn't matter which type you have however if genital it is more likely hsv 2. There is no merit in knowing which type as both are sexually transmitted. And once again. The blood tests show exposure abd not necessarily infection. Do not mix these up. The reason we don't do these blood tests are that they are pretty much redundant in an asymptomatic person. In a person with sores you can take a swab/just look.

Amy 323

ladystardust wrote: »

If you have symptoms of herpes get a swab test. It doesn't matter which type you have however if genital it is more likely hsv 1. There is no merit in knowing which type as both are sexually transmitted. And once again. The blood tests show exposure abd not necessarily infection. Do not mix these up. The reason we don't do these blood tests are that they are pretty much redundant in an asymptomatic person. In a person with sores you can take a swab/just look.

I dont have anything to swab, I've had some unusual symptoms which are ongoing. The reason to know which type as it us very different ghsv2 is more prone to.outbreaks than ghsv1, it sheds on slot more days also. This is how it is passed when no symptoms are showing. The virus can be active on the skin with zero symptoms

ladystardust

Amy 323 wrote: »

I dont have anything to swab, I've had some unusual symptoms which are ongoing. The reason to know which type as it us very different ghsv2 is more prone to.outbreaks than ghsv1, it sheds on slot more days also. This is how it is passed when no symptoms are showing. The virus can be active on the skin with zero symptoms

This may not be HSV. Go to your GP or a sexual health clinic and talk to someone. An expensive private blood test may not be necessary.

Louise1234

Amy 323 wrote: »

Hi I'm not sure if this is allowed here or if there is a certain section I should post to?? but I'm just enquiring if anyone knows of any place in Cork city that I could get a hsv (herpes) blood test?? It has to be a type specific Igg blood test for type 1 and 2. I'd appreciate any feedback or advice at all thank you.

Hi Amy - I'm not in Cork so can't advise there but I did get this done in Dublin. My GP didn't offer it and Women's health clinic didn't either so I went to an STI specialist and he ran the test. DM me if you need any info.