Why Herpes Testing Isn't Recommended for Everyone: Exploring the CDC Guidelines
When will herpes testing be recommended for everyone? I think it’s going to be a long, long time (if ever).
Many are surprised to learn that the CDC does not currently recommend herpes screenings for everyone. There are a few reasons why:
1. Research has not shown that knowing someone’s herpes status had an increase in safer sex behaviors (ex: barriers, antivirals, disclosure, avoiding sex during outbreaks)
2. Thus, knowing one’s positive status hasn’t shown a reduced rate of transmission
3. The rate of false positive testing and impact of social stigma
4. Herpes is NOT classified as “notifiable.” The CDC (2017) states that, “A disease is “notifiable” if healthcare providers in all 50 states are required by law to report the diagnosis to their state or local health departments.” Notable infections include syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
When we consider the current state of testing in our world as well as increased fuel prices and supply chain shortages, some testing materials may be limited (there have been shortages during the pandemic, so a quick Google search!)
Resource: CDC (2022)