How Herpes is diagnosed?
A clinician or doctor can diagnose HSV in most cases by looking at the blisters. Other symptoms like flu-like symptoms or early symptoms such a burning or tingling may be asked about. To confirm the diagnosis, they are more likely request a culture. The culture is done by swabbing the fluid from the sore, and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. A blood test can be used to determine if you have HSV antibody levels if you suspect you’ve been exposed but don’t have any symptoms. You should be aware that blood tests may not accurately detect HSV until 12 weeks following the infection. (5)
If you suspect that you may have HSV, you should ask your doctor or clinician about getting tested. HSV antibodies can be tested at home with a kit. A doctor can usually diagnose genital Herpes based on a physical exam and some laboratory results:
- Blood Test:This blood test checks for HSV antibodies in a sample from your blood to determine if you have had a herpes infection previously.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test:PCR duplicates your DNA using a blood sample, tissue taken from a spinal fluid or sore and a test of spinal fluid. The DNA can be used to determine the type of HSV that you have and how much HSV is present.
- Viral Culture:This is a test that involves taking a tissue sample or scraping off the sores to be examined in a laboratory.
A skin specialist may diagnose herpes by checking the sores during an outbreak. A dermatologist may send a swab of the sore to a lab in order to confirm that the patient has herpes. Blood tests can be used to test for the herpes virus if no sores are present. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical exam and take a fluid sample from the blisters in order to test for the herpes simplex virus. A blood test may be performed if the blisters are healed or if you do not have any blisters. This will show a positive result indicating that you were exposed to the herpes virus.
The blood test will not reveal an active infection, especially if there are no lesions or sores. It tells your doctor that you’ve been exposed to herpes in the past. You will not test positive for Herpes if this is your first infection because the body hasn’t had enough time to produce antibodies. In 8-12 weeks, the HSV-2 or HSV-1 antibodies test may be repeated. Genital herpes, the most common STD, is often not recognized by those who have it. Genital herpes is a disease that has few symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can be easily mistaken for other conditions.