Tests For Herpes - Phoenix STD Testing Clinics

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Cells or fluid can be taken from a sore and examined for the presence of the genetic material of the herpes virus. Sometimes spinal fluid is drawn and tested. Cells infected with herpes virus show up as very large with many centers (also knows as multinucleated giant cells). Infected cells pick up the stain in a different way than uninfected cells. Learn more about Phoenix STD testing clinics

Blood Tests

Blood tests for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the most common cause of genital herpes, are available. These blood tests can be used when someone is concerned about having been exposed to herpes, but has no visible symptoms. Blood tests can be used to confirm a negative viral culture result or to help determine herpes infection in a person with no visible symptoms.

Blood tests (serology) can be done to check for infection-fighting proteins (antibodies) that are produced by your immune system when you are infected with HSV. A variety of serologic tests are available, and each type has a different rate of false positive results. However, it can take days to weeks to get the test results.

Patients with a previous history of HSV-1 infection who acquire HSV-2 are most likely to be misdiagnosed by these tests as being infected with HSV-1 only. In addition, IgM tests cross-react with other viruses in the herpes simplex family, such as varicella zoster virus (VZV) which causes chickenpox or cytomegalovirus (CMV) which causes mono.

Suppressive Therapy

Suppressive therapy like Valtrex has proved to reduce your risk of spreading herpes by 73 percent. It's wise to protect yourself between herpes outbreaks, just in case. Sunlight is a frequent trigger for oral herpes. Surgical trauma and excessive friction in the genital area can trigger genital herpes.

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