Hello,

I am a sexually active male, who practices relatively safe heterosexual sex (condoms for all intercourse, unprotected oral - giving/receiving). I get screened annually for STD's, but I was surprised to find out that none of my screenings have ever included HSV1 or 2.

I am considering a blood test for both types of HSV, (as well as a complete screening for all other STD's, except HPV) and considering asking my new potential partner to do the same.

My questions are: 1) should I even worry about getting an HSV test? (I have never had a cold sore, nor have I ever had genital symptoms.) 2) should I get tested for HSV, but only type 2? (It seems that almost everyone has type 1 anyway, and that, just like HPV, it's really a very common, minor health issue.) 3) the same questions for my potential partner - HSV 1 and 2, just 2, or neither unless she has symptoms?

Thanks, as I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't find an answer.

~Max~

p.s. - I am now four months free of GW HPV, and couldn't be happier! It was a long year and a half, but I've come out a better, more educated, thankful person. Thanks to Fredo, and all of the other good people on the HPV message board!

oh certainly you should be including herpes testing in your routine std testing!

If you are under 30, only 1 out of every 3 people has hsv1 orally. It's very common but certainly not worth assuming that everyone has it. that assumption is partly why hsv1 genitally is the most common cause of genital herpes in that age group! You and a partner can't make educated decisions until you know who has what for both hsv1 and hsv2.

if you need any help with you or a partners herpes test results, post them in the herpes forum

betsy

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