The purpose of testing for genital and oral herpes is to identify evidence of an HSV infection. Testing for genital and oral herpes may be ordered for several reasons, including:
Testing can also determine the type of HSV causing an infection. There are two main types of HSV:
Testing for genital and oral herpes detects evidence of an HSV infection. There are four types of tests that confirm the presence of an HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection:
Testing for the viruses that cause genital and oral herpes may be ordered if you have signs and symptoms of a herpes infection. Although many people who contract HSV never notice symptoms, signs of an initial infection appear 2 to 20 days after infection and depend on the type of HSV causing the infection.
When signs and symptoms of an initial infection occur, they may include:
After the initial infection, HSV remains dormant inside the body. HSV can reactivate throughout your life, causing symptoms of genital or oral herpes to reappear. While the trigger for an HSV outbreak is often unknown, potential triggers include fever, stress, physical trauma, and a suppressed immune system.
Generally, expert organizations do not recommend herpes testing for patients without symptoms. An exception may be made for certain patients, including:
Tests for genital and oral herpes are available at doctor’s offices, medical clinics, and community-based organizations that offer STD testing. Testing is often ordered by a doctor but may be available over the counter and at community-based organizations without a physician’s orders.
At-home tests are available to test for evidence of an HSV infection. At-home herpes testing typically detects HSV antibodies in a self-collected blood sample and may require additional follow-up if preliminary results are positive. At-home herpes tests can be obtained online or at a local pharmacy.
The cost of testing for genital and oral herpes depends on the type of test that is performed, where the test is conducted, and whether you have medical insurance. Testing is often covered by insurance when ordered by a doctor, although you may still be responsible for costs such as copays and deductibles.
Get TestedTesting for genital and oral herpes may be performed with a blood sample or a sample of fluid swabbed or scraped from a sore. Both types of samples are collected by a health professional when conducted at a doctor’s office, clinic, or community organization.
If you are experiencing an outbreak, a doctor can collect a sample for testing by swabbing or scraping a sore. Material from the sore can be used for a herpes viral culture, PCR testing, a Tzanck smear, or an antibody test.
If you are not currently experiencing an outbreak, a blood test may be used to identify HSV antibodies. If a doctor suspects a brain infection with HSV, a lumbar puncture may be performed to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.
Before taking a test for genital and oral herpes, talk to your doctor about any medications or supplements being taken. For tests that require a sample taken from a sore, the sample must be collected when lesions are open before they begin to form a scab. For a blood test, no special preparation is required.
Collecting material from a sore may involve rubbing a sterile swab against the skin lesion or scraping the base with a scalpel.
A blood sample for antibody testing is collected intravenously or with a finger prick.
After material is collected from a skin lesion, there are no special post-test restrictions. You may have some slight bleeding or temporary discomfort where the skin was swabbed or scraped.
After your blood is drawn, slight soreness or bruising can occur but typically isn’t long-lasting. You can return to normal activities after a blood draw.
Get TestedResults from genital and oral herpes testing are usually available within a few business days, depending on the type of test performed. Viral culture testing may take several additional days, while rapid blood tests may be completed in as little as 15 minutes. At-home tests must be mailed to the laboratory but usually are processed within a few business days.
When going to an office or clinic, the health care team that conducted the test typically contacts you to provide results. Test reports may also be sent electronically or by mail. At-home test results are also typically sent electronically or by mail. At-home kits purchased through Health Testing Centers can be accessed through you’s online portal on the site.
The results of genital and oral herpes testing are often given as negative/normal or positive/abnormal. The interpretation of these results depends on the type of test conducted.
Viral culture and PCR test results indicate whether the sample used for the test contained HSV. A positive result means that you have an HSV infection. You may be experiencing an initial or recurrent outbreak. Test results may also include the type of HSV identified in the sample.
A negative result on a viral culture or PCR test indicates that the test sample did not contain HSV. It’s important to keep in mind that a negative viral culture or PCR test does not always mean that you don’t have a current or past HSV infection.
The results of an antibody test report whether antibodies produced in response to an HSV infection were detected in the sample used for testing. A positive result indicates that HSV antibodies were detected and you had an active outbreak or past infection.
Negative results from antibody testing indicate that HSV antibodies weren’t detected in the sample. This result could occur because you don’t have an active outbreak or past infection. A negative result can also occur because the test sample didn’t have enough of the virus to be found during testing due to a very recent infection. It can take up to three months after infection to test positive for HSV antibodies.
Using a Tzanck smear, results indicate whether or not certain cells were detected under a microscope. These cells are characteristic of a herpes infection, so positive test results suggest you have an infection. A Tzanck smear cannot distinguish between types of herpes infections, so you may have HSV-1, HSV-2, or another type of herpes virus.
Negative results from a Tzanck smear indicate that multinucleated giant cells were not found in the test sample. A negative result often isn’t helpful, as a Tzanck smear typically isn’t able to accurately identify patients who don’t have HSV or distinguish between types of herpes viruses.
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