Testing Question

[s.b23]

Hi Terri,
I’m looking for some guidance. Eight months ago I (22 female) had PROTECTED sex one time with a friend (male). My first sexual encounter. Two months later he told me he had tested positive for HSV2 on a blood test. I haven’t had any symptoms. I’ve had two doctors refuse to test me and one doctor highly discourage me from testing and told me I could’ve had hsv2 orally before this encounter even as a virgin which confused me. He also said because I had mono as a teenager that could cause a false positive on an IGG test.

I’m having a real ethical dilemma. It feels dishonest to not get tested but I am concerned about the IGG false positive rate.

Would it be positive to get a Western Blot without getting an IGG test first? I live in NYC and I’ve read it can be hard to get a test down here because of shipping laws, but I have a car and I can drive to a different state.

I’m not concerned about the cost.

Let me know. I am unsure of how to handle this situation.

[s.b23]

Also, I should add. He had an outbreak a little over a month after we had sex but said he had to get a blood test because his symptoms had healed by the time he got tested. That’s what he told me. One of my biggest concerns is that he said his outbreak was on an area a condom didn’t cover. He said it was just below his waistline. Does that mean that’s where he would shed the virus asymptomatically? He did not have symptoms when we had sex.

• This reply was modified 8 months ago by s.b23.

[Terri Warren]

First, your doctor is misinformed about herpes.
How would you get HSV 2 orally (which in itself is rare) as a virgin? Is he thinking you gave oral sex to someone and got it that way? Is he defining virgin as no intercourse, perhaps?
You could certainly get a western blot without an IgG test, yes.
However, condoms reduce transmission by 96%, so you were quite safe there.
The area just below the waistline does not shed virus when no outbreak is present – the skin is too thick so that experience does not present a risk.
I think herpes in your situation is unlikely, but we can do the blot if you are still worried.

Terri

[s.b23]

Thank you Terri. I think I would like to move forward with the Western Blot just to be sure. I have a few questions about how to get the Western Blot done as a NYC resident. I can drive to another state if needed.

Would it be possible to set up a call/conference with you? I currently don’t have a primary care doctor because I recently moved to NYC. I’m wondering if it would be possible to get the test completed without having a primary care doctor signing a release to administer the test.

[Terri Warren]

We now have a terrific arrangement with Enzo labs in all of NYC and New Jersey to get blood draws done for the blot. And yes, we don’t need to involve a primary care doctor. Follow the link on this website to get a western blot. I think I still have open appointments for August 16th.
Terri

[s.b23]

Hi Terri,
Thanks for the info. I followed the link and saw the only date with available appointments is August 16. I’m going to be on vacation with my family August 13-August 19. Since we will all be in the same house together I’m worried it will be difficult to find a private place to chat.

Do you have any available appointments between August 20 and August 31? I am also available this week (August 7-August 12) but I figured it was a long shot that you would have available appointments.

Let me know.

[s.b23]

Hi Terri,
I decided I can make August 16 work but when I tried to schedule an appointment it kept on saying there was an error with the expiration date on my card. I’m positive I entered the date correctly. I even tried another card and the same error occurred.

I’m nervous the appointments are going to fill up before I can schedule an appointment. I haven’t had issues with my card on any other site.

Is it possible to schedule the appointment in a different way? Can I make an appointment over the phone?

I would like to start the process of the western blot as soon as possible.

[Terri Warren]

tell me your initials and date of birth and I’ll make the appointment and send you the time.

Terri

[s.b23]

N.D.
D.O.B 01/09/1999

Thank you so so much! My email address has a different name listed. I’m using a friend’s email with her permission because my email is tied to my work and I had some concerns about that. I plan to make a new one that I’ll send you after my appointment to get my western blot results.

Thank you again!

[s.b23]

If there is an appointment on the 16th available before 4 P.M. that would work best for me.

[s.b23]

Hi Terri,
Any update on the appointment?

[s.b23]

Hi Terri,
Sorry for all the posts. I was able to schedule an appointment with you for August 23 and this time my card worked.
So I am all set. Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

Great!

Terri

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