Home Blood Tests? Pictures included.

Infections
1

Hi,

Does anybody know the reliability of home blood tests for the Herpes Virus?

I previously had a sore appear during my period (i hadn’t had one in 9 months due to contraception) and I was extremely itchy so wasn’t sure if it was a yeast infection or something worse:

By the time I got to the clinic my sore had cleared up (in about 5 days). The nurse advised to either pay privately or wait for more symptoms to occur and get tested. Fast track a couple of months, I recently felt itchy and looked and had a small cut:

However, it’s during a pandemic so I decided to order a home kit. I took two tests and they both came back negative for both HSV 1 and 2 - I was convinced I had the virus:

I’m going to get officially tested after this is over but…

Had anybody done these tests before and can vouch for their credibility or otherwise? It is a little light at the end of what feels like a very dark tunnel at the moment but I won’t get my hopes up.

2

I’ve read that blood tests can be inaccurate but I’ve ordered one as well because I’m literally going through the same as you. Swabs of the sore is apparently the most accurate test and I have seen them for sale online so maybe try one of those as well? Other things can cause sores so fingers crossed for you.

3

I’ve also read they can be unreliable but then saw quite a few people who had been diagnosed but decided to take their own home test and it came up positive.
Will definitely get it confirmed professionally. Thanks for replying - good luck with your results!

4

I tested positive for HSV 2 with a index number 1.33 so it’s a ‘weak positive’ I think I’m in denial and hoping it’s a false positive but I just need to accept it now :frowning: