Testing for Herpes.
Why it is done. Though it may be quite evident from the history and herpes symptoms that you have herpes, there are certain indications for conducting a herpes test. Testing for herpes is done in the following conditions.
- When a sore or blister has appeared on the genitals and around the mouth.
- When certain complications of herpes develop and their cause is to be confirmed or determined such as encephalitis ( infection of the brain).
- When there is fear of the mother with herpes having passed on the herpes infection to the newborn baby.
Tests for Herpes.
There are several laboratory tests for herpes:
1) Herpes Culture Test.
This herpes test is ideally done within the first 48 hours of an appearance of the herpes sore when the herpes simplex virus is active.
Method. The sore is scraped with the help of a cotton swab and the scrapings consisting of fluid and cells on the cotton swab are sent to the laboratory for culture. A culture test is nothing but allowing the collected fluid from the sore onto a favorable medium, solid or liquid, where the herpes virus will show growing activity. A “cup” or a petre dish is used for the purpose.
Advantages. A positive result is an absolute indication that you have herpes. There is no false positive in this test.
Disadvantages.
- It takes about seven days for herpes test results.
- Really useful only during the first 48 hours of the initial outbreak of herpes.
- In subsequent recurrent outbreaks, this test shows positive results in only 30% of the cases. Healing ulcers do not give accurate results with this test. Therefore, even if you herpes, this test will give a negative result. This is called a false negative test.
2) Herpes Blood Test or Herpes Serology.
This test is done based on the fact that our body fights infection by producing anti bodies with the help of our immune system. Blood taken from the herpes patient is tested in the laboratory for the presence of the anti bodies to the herpes simplex virus type 1 and HSV type 2. This test does not detect the virus itself.
Disadvantages. It takes a few weeks to 3 months for the antibodies in the blood to develop. So blood test done before these antibodies (in fresh cases) have developed will give a false negative reaction. That is, the test will show a negative result in spite of the person being infected by herpes.
A positive result, however will confirm the herpes infection.
3) Polymerase Chain Reaction Test for Herpes. (PCR Test.)
This test is performed with the fluid in the herpes blister or sore, or with blood or with spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is tested when the cause of encephalitis or meningitis is to be determined. This test finds the DNA or the genetic structure of the virus and can even tell whether the herpes infection is due to HSV Type 1 or HSV type 2.
4) Detection Test for Herpes Virus Antigen.
In this test, the fresh sore or blister, is scraped with the help of a sterile cotton swab and a smear is prepared on a microscopic slide. This smear is examined for the presence of antigens on the cells infected with herpes.
It is quite possible that you never had any symptoms of herpes, but getting tested for herpes will be good idea, if you
- Have had history of any other STD in the past.
- Have had multiple sex partners.
- Have had sex with a partner who has history of herpes.
Your action step.
If you feel this article could be useful, do share it on social media and pass a comment below.
Medic On WebRelated posts:
