Posted by shy_guy on April 26, 2001 at 15:51:18:
In Reply to: Re: poverty posted by HornyMike on April 25, 2001 at 20:32:16:
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HM: I agree with you in principle. When I say that 70-80% of Americans have one type of herpes, I am referring to HSV-1 as an orolabial infection. And yes, I would say that that percent are INFECTED with HSV-1, not that anywhere near that number necessarily experience the disease of orolabial herpes. I agree with your definition of disease to include some symptoms or some type of impact on a persons life, even if brief and mild. Not necessarily the same thing as an infection. (Cf. asymptomatic HIV infection versus AIDS; the same contrast applies). I did want to point out that there are a couple of new tests on the market that were approved by the FDA in only the past year that can check for antibodies to HSV and for the first time differentiate well between HSV-1 (which is much more prevalent but usually causes oral infection; however up to 30% of genital infections are also HSV-1) and HSV-2 which almost always corresponds with a genital infection (or anal; below the waist, okay) in the adult. Older versions of these antibody tests for herpes were extremely unhelpful due to inaccuracy of results. A culture from skin lesions is still the best way to diagnosis herpes infection, but if you have no outbreaks (no experience of herpes "disease" as you or I might say), you can still check for herpes infection with these new blood tests. The bad news is that the tests are extremely new and have really not penetrated the local health care market yet. I literally know of only a single physician in San Diego who offers one of the tests in her office. It is called the pocket test and tests for antibodies to HSV-2 only. It is done in-office and gives results in about twenty minutes. I do not want to advertise for her or put her name and address up on this open forum, but I will respond through email. No insurance company currently covers these tests so one would have to pay out of pocket. Shy Guy
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