Herpes Testing

Testing for Herpes

How do you know if you have herpes? What tests are there for herpes? Can the doctor test you for herpes simplex if you do not currently have an outbreak? How soon after possible exposure with an affected person can you be tested? There are many, many questions surrounding herpes and how it is tested and treated.This is a very important topic since many people with herpes do not even know they have it or have never had an official diagnosis. Also, in some cases, herpes is misdiagnosed so getting a test to prove it is very important.

If you think that you might have herpes, you should see your doctor right away and talk to them about it. It is even better if you can go while you actually have an outbreak but even if you do not, you can still visit your doctor right away and talk to them about your symptoms and why you think you may have the virus. The doctor will then be able to tell you about possible tests to detect the virus in your body as well as other options for you if you do have the virus.

If you have open, active sores from what you think could be a herpes virus, this is the ideal time to go to be tested. If the doctor is able to swab the sore for analysis, it is much easier to get a diagnosis. However, if you think you may have the virus but are not in the active phase, you can still talk to your doctor and there might be other tests that can detect if you have the antibodies for herpes virus in your system.

Herpes symptoms

Most people do not find out they have herpes from a routine test. Most people notice the signs and symptoms first and then go to a doctor to have it confirmed. You need to be aware of what the symptoms are. Most often the initial exposure is the worst case of an outbreak you will get. This primary infection is what tells most people that something is wrong. This primary infection is worse because your body has never made any antibodies to the virus before this initial exposure to it and it takes time for your body to begin to fight it off.

The herpes primary infection may have more sores and may spread to a larger area of the skin. You might feel more generally ill and have flu-like symptoms. You might have muscle aches, fever and fatigue. You might also have painful burning, itching and irritation in the genital area. With oral herpes, you might have painful irritation or sores around the mouth and possibly even inside the mouth. You might also have swollen lymph nodes with your outbreak.

Available Tests for Herpes

The best time to go to the doctor is when you have an active outbreak of the herpes virus. If you see lesions or sores, you should see the doctor right away to get tested. The primary methods of testing for the virus are the herpes culture and HSV DNA testing. 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. Below are the common methods of testing for the herpes simplex virus.

Types of Tests

• 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 typically considered the most specific method of diagnosing a genital herpes infection.
  
• Herpes virus antigen detection test.
  
  In this 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 the person's 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 the skin lesions themselves 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.
  
  Herpes testing is done to determine where it is in fact, the herpes simplex virus that is causing sores that may appear in the mouth or genital area. Usually the tests are performed because the person has an outbreak of sores and comes in to find out what is causing it.

Topical Herpes Treatments		Rating
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Generic Prescription Herpes Medications		Rating
Generic Valtrex - slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. Lessens the symptoms of these infections and shortens the length of time you are sick. Click here to order generic Valtrex.
Prescription Herpes Medications
Valtrex - Valtrex comes in tablet tablet. To treat genital herpes it is usually taken twice a day for 5 days. For cold sores, Valtrex is usually taken for one day only. Click here to order Valtrex.
Acyclovir - Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lip, and genitals; herpes zoster (shingles); and chickenpox. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching and promotes healing. Click here to order Acyclovir.
Famvir - Famvir is an oral antiviral prescription medication. The usual dose of Famvir is one 125-mg pill, twice a day, for 5 days. Suppressive treatment: if you have frequent or severe outbreaks, you take one 250-mg pill, twice a day, for up to 1 year to suppress the genital herpes virus and help to prevent outbreaks. Patients with HIV: Famvir is the only prescription oral antiviral therapy indicated for treating genital. In patients with herpes simplex and HIV, the dose of Famvir is 500 mg, twice a day, for 7 days. Click here to order Famvir.

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A.M., Clermont, Iowa