Where can I get a reliable test for genital herpes?
A reliable test for herpes is a culture from a real-time lesion, which is a blister or sore that is in the early stage of healing. If no sores or blisters are present, then there are no good tests available to determine whether someone has herpes. Free blood tests for herpes and warts are not available. Blood (antibody) tests for herpes are available from doctor’s offices for a cost, but they are very unreliable, and cannot tell you whether you have a new infection or not, since almost everyone will have a positive test, meaning that almost everyone has previously been exposed to and infected with the herpes virus. Blood tests for warts do not exist. Tissue tests, where samples of cells are tested, are available, but they cost a lot of money. This question was answered by: Mark P. Behar, PA-C, CRA, MPAS Wisconsin Avenue Family Care Center Aurora Sinai Medical Center Dept.
