Re: Here's the truth.
Webmaster: Hombre
Posted by Innocent on December 30, 2001 - 9:28 am

In Reply to: Re: Health checkups, the truth please. posted by Shy_Guy on December 30, 2001 - 1:19 am

There are definitely test for Herpes simplex. Infection can be evaluated by blood for antibodies/latent infection, or active infection which presents with microscopic or visible lesions.
Also opthalmic herpes is diagnosed by smear of suspected opthalmic lesion.

In fact there is an entire herpes panel that can be ordered with routine lab work.

Previously diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis in males was done by swabbing the urethra inside the penis with a long Q-tip (ouch). Females with a vaginal or cervical smear. Subsequent histological study rules out or confirms infection.

Fortunately now CT is diagnosed with blood work, a fairly recent developement.

Human papillomavirus is diagnosed by coating suspected lesions with white vinegar then scaned with black light. HPV shows positive if lesions appear bluish. Lesions are removed with liquid nitrogen and confirmed with biopsy.

There is talk of an up comming PCR/DNA test for HPV using blood test.