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Herpes Testing

Herpes testing can detect the presence of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in your body. If you have had sores or other signs of a potential herpes infection or if you have had physical contact with an herpes infected person, you should get tested. This will help you get an accurate herpes diagnosis.

Even though herpes often shows obvious symptoms, it can also be confused with other conditions and 20% of the herpes infected population does not have any symptoms at all. An accurate herpes test result will diagnose whether you have herpes and prevent spreading the infection.

There are several herpes tests available. Some are more appropriate that others depending on your situation. This page will help you understand which type of tests you should get. Oral and Genital herpes testing requires the same tests.

Physical examination and herpes history:
When you have unusual symptoms that look like or feel like herpes, you should visit your doctor and ask for a physical examination. Your doctor will then ask you, your herpes history or the history of similar symptoms you have had in the past. Depending on the stage of your herpes infection and herpes history, your doctor will then probably suggest either some form of swab test or a blood test.

Swab or sample tests

Herpes viral culture: This test for herpes is the best method to use if you have visible symptoms. It is also the most valid test available.. If you test positive by viral culture, you can be sure you have the virus. This herpes test is very sensitive and can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 and has the distinct advantage of being able to point the location of infection. The major disadvantage of this test for herpes is that it has a high rate of false negatives (~50%). This means that if you have a negative viral culture test result, you will have to confirm that negative diagnosis by a blood test.

Herpes virus antigen detection test: This herpes test may be done with or in place of viral culture. Cells from an active sore are scrapped off and then smeared onto a microscope slide. This test identifies antigens on the surface of cells infected with the herpes virus. In general, this type of test is less sensitive than viral culture. It gives faster results and are often less expensive. However, the main drawback is that better samples are needed for more accurate results and it cannot determine whether the sample is infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test: This test requires the presence of active viral shredding, it can be done on cells or fluid from an active sore, or from blood or fluid such as spinal fluid. This test can detect the DNA of the herpes virus. It is type-specific and very sensitive in detecting the presence of the herpes virus.

Serology Testing (Herpes Blood Tests): This herpes test works by measuring the level of Herpes Simplex antibodies in the body. This test is typically performed when there are no obvious symptoms but the patient has doubts about having herpes.
When a person gets infected, the immune system kicks into action and produce antibodies to fight the virus. These antibodies are IgG and IgM. Serologic herpes tests look for the presence of these antibodies. IgG is produced right after the infection and stays in the bloodstream for life. IgM is actually the first one to be produced by the body in the presence of the virus but disappears after the course of the infection. The more accurate herpes blood test detects IgG antibodies. Unlike IgM, IgG can be precisely broken down to either HSV-1 or HSV-2. You can read more on herpes blood tests and genital herpes blood tests on this website.

The stigma attached to herpes oftentimes deters people from undergoing herpes testing. Fortunately, there are home herpes tests that are nearly as accurate as actual laboratory tests and can be used by people who seek confidentiality of test results.