Reply To: PCR swab timing and Acyclovir antiviral

[Hopingforanswers123]

Hi Terri,

After reading thru the forum I’ve discovered that I need to be off antivirals for 5 days otherwise the PCR test will be inaccurate. So, I will discontinue them today.

So I guess if I could change my question… I find it tricky to line up my doctor appointments with an outbreak, and I really don’t want to miss my chance and be stuck off of antivirals for too long if I really need them. Is there anyway I can purchase PCR swabs for at-home testing?

And then my other question would be what day is the ideal timing to perform the swab? First signs of prodrome/nerve pain? First eruption of a blister? A few days into the outbreak?

Thanks again for your help!

Ps- I purchased three more questions, just in case I’m not allowed to change the ones I previously asked.