STD Testing

M

Mrbritish

New member
Hello all!

First time poster, but long time lurker. Something I’ve been getting myself in a spin about lately is around STD testing. Myself and my partner, A, have been on a semi-annual testing schedule and have been tested for HIV, Gon, Chlam.

At my annual physical, my doctor just said “do you want us to do STD testing” and I said “sure”. This time they added in HSV 2 (Herpes Type 2). It came out negative, and when A got her recent panel it came up Negative too. All good there.

However, reading up about HSV 2, I understand it’s exceptionally common, and completely incurable. In fact, I believe most clinics don’t even routinely screen for it. It also seems the case that the stigma of the infection is way worse than the actual symptoms!

What I’m concerned about is that as we both interact with other partners, that we risk catching a really non-threatening virus that will cause more mental damage than anything else. Silently knowing that you don’t have it is probably less of a concern than knowing and mentally agonizing.

We always use condoms outside of our partnership - we are hierarchical, but I know that only reduces the risks by 30% or so.

I’m really unsure what to do. Should we just not have it on our test list? Should we ask new partners to get tested for it?

I’m really keen to hear peoples approaches to testing, because I can’t see a lot of material on it around!

Thanks in advance.
 
As I understand it--and honestly, you've probably done more research than I have--the only test that's even close to reliable for either strain of HSV is a blood test, and even that has a relatively high rate of false results. I'm not aware of any clinics that screen for it as a matter of course; when I was tested for it last fall, I had to get quite pushy with my doctor, who insisted there was no point in testing because I'd almost certainly been exposed to at least one of the two strains and so should just assume I had it.

I believe that HSV2 is not quite as common as HSV1; HSV1 (oral herpes) is the one to which most people have been exposed. But it may be important to note that just because HSV1 is *called* "oral herpes" and HSV2 is called "genital herpes," doesn't mean they're exclusive to those parts of the body. It is possible to have HSV1 in one's genitals or HSV2 in one's mouth.

Ultimately, what risks you and your partner take are entirely up to you. If you both have negative results for HSV (and by the way, did they test you for HSV1, or only 2?), and you want to keep it that way, it's probably best to talk to any additional partners about their status, if they even know it. As you note, condoms don't entirely prevent HSV2, and of course do absolutely nothing against HSV1. So if you rule out sexual contact with anyone who's positive for either strain, you'll be ruling out a fairly large number of people, and even if someone is negative for it, that doesn't necessarily mean they don't have it. Only that the *test* was negative.

So again, it's up to you and your partner what risks, if any, you choose to take. I would say discuss the issue thoroughly together, and also be certain to discuss the issue, and your and your partner's decision about risk, with any future partners so *they* can make an informed choice about what, if any, risks to take with you. (i.e. even if you test negative now, if you choose to engage in sex with others, you may be exposed to it and not be aware until your next testing round, if even then.)
 
My take on this is that knowing is always good - the question is really why are you agonizing over it? I mean, you're halfway there in realizing that (with the exception of catching it durinfate pregnancy or certain situations in which someone is immunocompromised) it's harmless for most people. (The stigma can be traced entirely to a combination of moral panic and drug company propoganda dating to the invention of Valtrex).

I mean, worst case scenario is that you potentially catch it and... Have a few unpleasant days and maaaaybe miss out on a potential partner or two?

(The reason I state knowing is always good is it DOES allow potential partners who may have good - or even bad - reasons to avoid it to make their own decisions. I mean, I've missed out on a relationship with someone because they decided they didn't want to risk hsv1 and I figure that just means we probably have incompatible risk profiles, bullet dodged. )
 
I'd prefer to know, insofar as anyone can really know they've been exposed to either strain, or have it.

One of my partners has HSV-1 and I avoided contact with him during the time he had an active lesion - but it's my understanding that even avoiding kissing/sex during those times doesn't completely negate the risk is there is any kind of skin contact at all.
 
Hello Mrbritish,

I suppose my vote is to get tested for HSV, in order to inform potential partners so that they can make their own decisions, but not to get too worried about whether *they* have HSV. That's my vote, but your vote is your own.

Regards,
Kevin T.
 
Personally, I don't worry too much about it. I have had partners in the past who were HSV2 positive. I was not infected. I haven't been tested in quite some time. If someone requires me to show up with a fresh test in hand we are probably not going to be compatible overall. Out of curiousity I may get tested soon.
 
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