[dcquestion]

I’m interested in doing the daily home swab testing to known whether I’m infected genitally before I start on the suppression. I would also like to do daily swab testing of my saliva to know whether there is virus present there.

Is that something you can help facilitate via mail? I’ve read you offering that in the past. What’s the best way to learn more about that procedure, what’s involved, and the cost?

[dcquestion]

Add on to above: To determine if I’m infected genitally, would it be possible to do a genital swap test for some period of time and see if evidence of the virus was found?

[dcquestion]

Thanks you, Terri. First, let me say that you’re providing a much needed service and should be commended for your efforts.

To answer your question, yes I’ve thought about antiviral therapy. In fact I requested it from my primary care physician who would not give it me until verifying via swab test that the cold sores on my face were caused by HSV2. So I had to wait to get another cold sore, which has since happened and verified to be HSV2 so now I’ll likely start a suppressive antiviral.

As a follow up, how do I know definitely whether my HSV2 is limited to oral or whether I’m also infected genitally. I’ve read you tell people that once you’re infected orally you’re vaccinated against genital infection. I’d very much like to know whether that’s the case with my HSV2 or not as it’s fairly significant in understanding transmission risk. My sexual encounters around the time of the infection were both oral and vaginal sex.

Thanks!

[Author]

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