Brief Answer:
Blood testing for HSV antibodies

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

IgM testing for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 is not useful, because IgM tests are not type-specific (cannot determine between HSV-1 and HSV-2). Also, IgM tests might be positive during recurrent genital or oral episodes of herpes.

The ability to detect HSV in genital lesions by culture is low. PCR(polymerase chain reaction) assays for HSV are more sensitive and are used to detect HSV in the skin, oral, and genital lesions.

Feel free to ask in case of any further doubts. Wish you good health.
Arnold Zedd, MD

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Brief Answer:
HSV disease

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Herpes simplex virus infection can be transmitted from people who are symptomatic(have burning, itching, or clear blisters clustered together at the site of infection) or asymptomatic. The person transmitting herpes can have a primary or recurrent infection.

After primary(or initial herpes) infection, the virus stays in the body for life. Recurrent(or reactivation from primary herpes) can be marked by burning or itching at the site of recurrent herpes.

If you do not have sores, pain or itching, but had contact with someone who does have herpes, you could have an asymptomatic infection.

To learn if you have herpes, I would recommend waiting until at least four weeks from the time of exposure and then have blood taken for:
HSV-1 IgG antibodies
and
HSV-2 IgG antibodies
Results of <1:10 are considered negative.

If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health.
Arnold Zedd, MD

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