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Herpes Tests
Herpes testing is done to detect the presence of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). An HSV infection can cause small, painful blisterlike sores of the skin or the tissue lining (mucous membranes) of the throat, nose, mouth, urethra, rectum, and vagina. A herpes infection may cause only a single outbreak of sores, but in many cases the person will have recurrent outbreaks

On rare occasions, HSV can infect other parts of the body, such as the eyes and the brain.

To determine whether sores are being caused by the herpes simplex virus, different types of tests may be done.

Herpes Test Result Range
HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS
< 0.90 IV -------- Negative Results
0.90 - 1.10 IV --- Retest after 14 days
>1.10 IV -------- Postive Results


  • Herpes viral culture. Cells or fluid from a fresh sore are collected with a cotton swab and placed in a culture container. A viral culture is regarded as the most specific method of diagnosing a genital herpes infection.
  • Herpes virus antigen detection test. Cells from a fresh sore are scraped off and then smeared onto a microscope slide. This test detects markers (called antigens) on the surface of cells infected with the herpes virus. This test may be done in addition to or in place of a viral culture.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. PCR testing can be done on cells or fluid from a sore or on blood or on other fluid (such as spinal fluid). PCR detects the genetic material (DNA) of the HSV virus. This test can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The PCR test is not commonly done on skin lesions, but it is best for testing spinal fluid, for rare cases in which herpes may be causing infection in or around the brain.
  • Antibody tests. Blood tests can detect antibodies that are made by the immune system to fight a herpes infection. Antibody tests are occasionally done but are not as accurate as a viral culture at identifying the cause of a specific sore or ulcer. Antibody tests cannot distinguish between a current, active herpes infection and a past infection. Because antibodies take time to develop after the initial infection, a positive antibody test may not be present if you have recently been infected. Some blood tests can diagnose the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The results from an antibody test called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA) may be available in about 2 hours.

Tests for HSV are usually done only for sores in the genital area. In rare cases, the test may be done using other types of samples, such as spinal fluid, blood, urine, or tears.

  • HSV type 1 usually causes cold sores (also called fever blisters) on the lips. HSV-1 is generally spread by kissing or by sharing eating utensils (such as spoons or forks) when sores are present. HSV-1 can also cause sores around the genitals.
  • HSV type 2 usually causes sores in the genital area (genital herpes), such as on or around the vagina or penis. HSV-2 also causes the type of herpes infection seen in babies born to women who have genital herpes. HSV-2 is generally spread by sexual contact. HSV-2 rarely causes sores elsewhere in the body.
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