Question: I am extremely confused about HSV-2 testing. I have heard things from professionals (including my own physician) that more commonly used and mainstream tests can be useless because they only test for exposure not the virus itself (antibodies, I am guessing). So, I went to a doctor once when an ex-girlfriend gave me gonorrhea (a whole different can of worms, been treated for that though) and was paranoid about what else she had so I got screened and said what my primary care physician said but that I wanted to have the HSV screen anyhow (I guess it ISN'T included in a normal screen!?). This doctor said I had been exposed to HSV-2, that often times people freak out and stress over it, and that the lack of direct symptoms ever means I have little cause for concern. Well, little cause for concern is great for me...but what about future sex partners? If I have been exposed, is it definitely there? Possibility of false-positives? Explain how likely it is for asymptomatic individuals to be shedding at any particular time? Lastly, I think, Symptoms are the usual fever, etc. and blisters...so if there are no blisters or illness then I am asymptomatic? Or can it represent in forms other than blisters like a red spot or something? As you can read, there is an incredible amount of conflicting and confusing information on this!! I guess I am most concerned with viral shedding and possibility of infecting a person I may love and care about (should I ever meet her). Thank you for toughing this essay out and helping me...I don't understand why this issue is so incredibly complicated.
I posted an image of a red "spot" rashy type area I had once after masturbation. I tend to see them much redder immediately following prolonged masturbation or even protected intercourse (which would also produce friction regardless)

So, lesions are pretty obvious then? That deepened my confusion too. Some information said they can be unnoticed while I had always heard they are painful. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer this as it seriously helped my confusion and anxiety. On a different topic that is still relevant to the general STD topic: I am very responsible and have gotten STD screens fairly regularly (usually every six months or so). This includes HIV. I saw that this is your specialty and I was wondering what you think about OraQuick home testing. The FDA approved it, but who knows what that is totally worth nowadays. Thank you!

thank you so much, Dr. Murugan!