When is Herpes Testing Recommended? Evaluating CDC Guidelines and Personal Insights
I’ve shared why the CDC *doesn’t* believe that screening for herpes is appropriate for everyone. Today I’m sharing when the CDC believes that herpes testing *might* be useful. In addition to sharing the CDC’s recommendations, I’ll provide my thoughts and insight (because I, overall, don’t agree with their position on herpes screening and testing😊).
CDC: An individual shows presenting symptoms that might be herpes.
ELD: I agree with this, and it’s obvious.
CDC: If you have (or had) a sexual partner who had herpes.
ELD: Considering how many people have herpes, I find this screening recommendation to be a moot point. And considering how many people who have herpes don’t know that they have it? Or have it and don’t disclose?
CDC: If you have multiple partners and desire a more comprehensive screening.
ELD: I agree that this is helpful, but... with so many discrepancies in healthcare providers’ screening choices on OUR sexual lives, how can we trust that we’re receiving the appropriate tests? Or are being screened for what we want to be tested for as opposed to what they think we should be screened for? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, available testing doesn’t mean accessible testing. I know plenty of folks whose healthcare providers’ denied them herpes screenings because “everyone has it anyway” or “you don’t have any symptoms so you’re fine.”
Overall I believe the CDC guidelines are rather circular and in need of an update (@cdcgov call me?). If you have/had a partner who has herpes, get tested (but basically, that’s everyone?). If you have multiple partners, get a herpes test... But my doctor said it was basically pointless because everyone has it anyway? How can you pick and choose when herpes screening is important vs. when it’s pointless?
Between a lack of sexual health education (aka the people who still don’t know that cold sores are herpes), healthcare providers’ bias, morals, and lack of sexuality education, and just overall lack of awareness and knowledge of herpes’ prevalence and realities, I don’t find that these recommendations provide enough clarity.