Reliable Herpes and STD Testing

[Hawkeye]

A friend told me she tested positive for Herpes and one STD last year and treated the STD. She also says she subsequently tested clean at another place which brings into question how reliable is Herpes and STD testing in Pattaya. Although she tests herself every six months for peace of mind herpes is a lifetime disease that once you contract it is with you forever and should show up in all future tests. At this time it is not clear if the original diagnosis was correct or not based on her stated activity and limited risk of infection.

 

I want to test both of us especially for herpes HSV-2 and appreciate any information BMs can provide about which facility provides the most accurate testing as it is pointless to test at a facility which does not have good quality control and unreliable results. Advice is requested for the following:

 

-Which places have given reliable test results in the past?

-Can they accurately test for herpes when no obvious signs, symptoms, blisters or shedding are present?

-Cost of herpes and STD testing at places listed above.

-Is the herpes test blood sampling or something else?

-How long before results are known?

 

Thanks for any feedback.

 

Hawkeye

[)2akathaorai]

Google mate

 

I can tell you there is one test for Herpes that is very reliable the others have many false positives. I forget the name but wade through Google and you will get their. Any good STD clinic should know which one is the reliable one though.

[Expat46]

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital STD package, test all (blood test. B 1,800)

Result in 1 hour.

Wouldn't wasted my time, or trusted clinics, how thorough is their "quick test' ?

[Cerberus]

Blood tests can find antibodies that are made by the immune system to fight a herpes infection. Antibody tests are sometimes done but are not as accurate as a viral culture at finding the cause of a specific sore or ulcer. Antibody tests cannot tell the difference between a current active herpes infection and a herpes infection that occurred in the past. Because antibodies take time to develop after the first infection, you may not have a positive antibody test if you have just recently been infected. Some blood tests can tell the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2.

 

It is thought that about half of adults in the United States likely have herpes antibodies.

 

-Can they accurately test for herpes when no obvious signs, symptoms, blisters or shedding are present?

Yes, providing the infection is not new, if the person has only just been infected the blood test method may not be reliable

-Cost of herpes and STD testing at places listed above.

Between 1,200 baht and 2,000 baht

Is the herpes test blood sampling or something else?

Yes by blood, (see waver above), or by culture, (Takes Longer more accurate)

-How long before results are known?

1 to 2 hours for blood, days for culture