[Shadesofgrey]

Hi. So, just to be clear when I reference chickenpox, why is genital herpes always described as an active disease while other viruses can go latent and no longer considered a threat? What does it do differently that makes the doctor say you have a lifelong disease (when you have no outbreaks) as opposed to a dormant virus from a prior exposure? Is it because it’s too hard to know if/when it is active in asymptomatic people? (Sorry if I am just being over-analytical? 🙂

From your article, do you suggest getting a biokit HSV-2 rapid assay? Is this something I can get through a lab or clinic without going to the doctor? I am willing.

I hope there will be something done in the field to re-address how these results are typically interpreted because I’ve seen three doctors and they were adamant that the test is conclusive (assuming it could possibly not be in my case). We have couples getting tested together all the time and if I were on the other side it would be hard for me to not believe the doctor!

Thank you for your time.

[Shadesofgrey]

Thanks for the reply. So first, if we say some people react to the tests in a way that can result in false positive, I could see that always being the case. However in the past I’ve been negative so that will be hard to understand what else could have changed although hopefully there is some other reason.

Second, regarding chicken pox, this goes into a latent stage in the spine and I would show positive for antibodies similarly to herpes. How is herpes different in that it is still considered/described as active instead of latent, especially if you are someone who has never had an outbreak or never had one after the first episode? In other words, why is herpes always permanent and live as opposed to other viruses that your body has learned to fight off or prevent from progressing to active disease.

My docs sound very definitive so this <3.5 definitely hasn’t gone mainstream. I can understand how it can be recommended not to test. I keep thinking back to every discomfort wondering “was that herpes?” (If yes, it was not obvious). Should I push this further? I would be upset if I got more inconclusive results.

Thank you!

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