You don’t know, until you know
One of the many reasons herpes is so prevalent is because so many people have it and do not know they have it. In fact, only 10%-20% are diagnosed, so 80%-90% of people with genital herpes aren't even aware that they carry the virus, as they never develop visible herpes sores (symptoms). So several people are going around transmitting it without even knowing they have it themselves.
Many would say, “Well this is why people should get tested regularly if they are being sexually active.” Which they are right about that; but so many are getting tested and still unaware they have herpes. You may ask, “How can this be if people are getting tested?”
One mind blowing fact is that when you go and get tested for STDs, doctors do not test you for herpes. If you’re thinking, “Well mine does because I ask to be tested for everything,” that’s where you’re misinformed and where several doctors have failed many of us. Even when you ask to be “tested for EVERYTHING” you are not being tested for everything. This is why it’s important to understand the difference between STI testing and STI screening.
Testing is done when you have symptoms, whereas screening is done in the absence of symptoms—just to check to see if you’ve been exposed. Since so many people are asymptomatic or do not know they have been exposed to herpes, many go without being tested, especially because most people think they are being tested. The CDC recommends that doctors don’t test people for Herpes in a general STD testing because so many people are asymptomatic. Since so many people will never know they have herpes, the CDC thinks it will cause unnecessary anxiety and mental distress to people if they are tested and then diagnosed.
People getting tested for “everything” and having all results coming back negative think they are in the clear when that is not accurate. If you’re a responsible adult getting checked regularly for STD’s, make sure next time you are specific when you speak to your doctor and ask to be checked for herpes, as well. Until you ask specifically to be tested for herpes, you will not being tested for it. You could be one of the many people who have it and do not know, resulting in going around transmitting the virus. Some doctors will still not test you for herpes even when you ask to be tested for herpes, if this happens to you, I advise you demand to be tested or search for a new doctor.
Herpes can be tested with a swab test, also known as a culture test, or tested in your blood. The virus does not live in your blood, so it cannot be passed this way, but if you carry HSV you will have antibodies that the test can detect. So you do not know until you actually know. It is best to test more than once to be sure. If you have been recently exposed to herpes, your body will not have antibodies yet for certain test to detect. So if you have been exposed it is best to be tested more than once to be sure.
If you are sexually active, I highly suggest you set up an appointment to have a full panel test done, make sure you ask specifically to be tested for herpes and HIV because you are also not always tested for HIV when you ask to be tested for “everything”.
Herpes can lay dormant in your body as well, so before you go thinking you are in the clear because you are not having symptoms of any kind, think again. You could be carrying something you don’t know about because it is dormant, or you could be in the 80%-90% of people who are asymptomatic. So, do you and your current or future partner a favor and take your sexual health seriously by getting tested, and tested properly—because you don’t know until you know. Thanks!
Sources: Medical News Today, CDC, SELF
