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Is There A Test To Detect Herpes Infection?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015
Question: Is there a test you can take to find out if you are a carrier of herpes and never had any symptoms of herpes
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Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
HSV IgG, Ig M Antibodies and PCR tests are useful to detect the infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

If there is no symptoms so far it is quite unlike to have infection.
Blood tests for HSV 1 and 2 are to detect Ig M and Ig G antibodies. Presence of Ig G indicates an old infection whereas IG M would be present in a recent infection. They just denote the infection has occurred and not exactly the activity.
Molecular tests like PCR tests would be more accurate and you can assess the degree of intensity of infection.
Dr S.Murugan
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3110 Questions

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Is There A Test To Detect Herpes Infection?

Brief Answer: HSV IgG, Ig M Antibodies and PCR tests are useful to detect the infection. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. If there is no symptoms so far it is quite unlike to have infection. Blood tests for HSV 1 and 2 are to detect Ig M and Ig G antibodies. Presence of Ig G indicates an old infection whereas IG M would be present in a recent infection. They just denote the infection has occurred and not exactly the activity. Molecular tests like PCR tests would be more accurate and you can assess the degree of intensity of infection. Dr S.Murugan