HSV Screening – Integral to Ensure Your Sexual Health
Did you know that there are a considerable number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that may not exhibit any symptoms? This means if you are a sexually active person, you may actually be carrying around an STD and possibly passing it on without even being aware about it. The only way to truly ensure you are not infected is to get screened regularly.
Understanding HSV better
HSV or herpes as it is commonly called is primarily an infection of the skin triggered by the herpes simplex virus. While HSV-1 or oral herpes may cause blisters along the mouth area, HSV-2 or genital herpes may exhibit in the form of sores in the genital area.
HSV-2 is classified as an STD since it spreads through sexual intercourse – vaginal, anal or oral. However, in many people, the virus does not cause skin outbreaks or any other visible symptoms. Infected people are nevertheless capable of spreading the disease.
Health risks of HSV
Without testing and proper treatment, both oral and genital herpes can keep reappearing. Although the virus does not usually lead to grave health risks, the sores and blisters connected to this infection are painful. It would therefore save you a lot of pain and discomfort if you undergo HSV testing at your nearest urgent care clinic.
Very rarely, a herpes infection can turn fatal and infect vital body organs such as the brain or spinal cord causing meningitis. The aftermath of such an infection can be life-threatening. It is important to remember that if you are pregnant and infected with herpes, the chances of passing on the infection to your child during delivery are high. When a simple STD testing Alexandria can save you from all these unnecessary complications, why take the risk of avoiding screening?
HSV testing and treatment
You can be assured of complete privacy and confidentiality when you go in for HSV testing at an urgent care clinic. Testing for the virus generally requires you to provide a blood or swab sample. If you are uncomfortable about the swab collection from a genital sore, the healthcare provider will show you how to do it and offer you the privacy to collect the sample on your own.
In the case of a blood test, the healthcare provider will collect a small sample of blood and send it to the lab for testing. Even if the test results come out negative, there is still a chance that you may be infected, especially if you have blisters or sores. The negative result may be due to the fact that the virus concentration in the sample is not high enough to be detected in a test. In such a case, your doctor may suggest a retest.
If the results turn out positive, you will be prescribed medications to manage the infection. Remember that there is no complete cure for herpes. However, with proper medications, it is possible to effectively reduce the recurrence of outbreaks. Medication can also help prevent the transmission of the infection to your sexual partner/s.
If you believe you may have an HSV infection, go in for HSV testing at an urgent care center today. It will help safeguard your health and protect your partners from herpes infection.
