Questions For Your Doctor About Test Results
The following questions may be useful as patients review genital and oral herpes test results with their doctor:
- What type of test was conducted?
- What is my test result?
- What is the most likely explanation for my test result?
- Are there any follow-up tests that you recommend?
- How should I discuss my test result with sexual partners?
How Accurate Is A Herpes Blood Test
Herpes blood tests have a sensitivity level of about 80-98%. This type of test detects antibodies to the herpes virus, so it may not be as accurate when performed soon after infection. In general, false positives are a concern with herpes testing, so its not recommended unless you have symptoms or have a high risk for infection.
Symptoms Of Genital Herpes
Most people with herpes type 2 do not have symptoms and have no idea they are infected. However, it is still possible to pass genital herpes onto another person even when there are no visible signs of infection.
When symptoms are present, they may include:
- Blisters and sores on the genital, buttock, thigh, or rectal areas
- Flu-like symptoms
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Detection Of Hsv In Lesions
Traditional diagnosis of HSV from lesions involves the direct detection of tissues or cells infected by the virus, viral proteins, whole virus, or genetic materials. The virus is collected from lesions on skin or genitals by swabbing or scraping with a scalpel. This is followed by detection using the various techniques discussed in the following sections.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- What is the best treatment for me?
- What happens if I dont treat a cold sore?
- What are the side effects of antiviral medications?
- How can I reduce the risk of future outbreaks?
- Whats the best way to prevent getting another STI?
- How can I protect my partner from getting genital herpes?
- Should I lookout for signs of complications?
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In The Absence Of Answers
Herpes tests arent the only ones with a risk of false positive results. False positives can occur for any test that diagnoses viral infection based on antibodies, i.e., your bodys immune reaction, rather than direct detection of the virus. For similar diagnostics like HIV and hepatitis C testing, protocols automatically call for a second test that directly detects the virus whenever an antibody test comes back positive, said Paul Swenson, laboratory director in the department of public health of King County, Washington. Herpes, however, is a particularly challenging infection to directly test for, because the virus spends most of its time hiding in nerves. Swab tests can sometimes detect the virus during outbreaks, but this isnt an option for people without symptoms. Thus even the Western blot relies on antibodies, and may give indeterminate results to a small number of people.
But two steps of antibody testing are still more reliable than one step todays diagnostics for Lyme disease and syphilis are a two-step antibody testing approach, said Dr. Edward Hook, a medical epidemiologist specializing in STI screening and prevention at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, who questioned why such a standardized two-step approach hasnt taken firm hold for herpes.
When Are Herpes Tests Accurate
In the table below, we summarize information about the timing of herpes testing.
One of the most important factors in any infectious disease testing is doing it at the right time. This means two things in the case of herpes:
- For the blood test to be accurate, the right amount of time needs to have passed
- The swab test should be done while symptoms are âfreshâ
For each available herpes test, we will mention:
- The earliest testing time
- The ideal testing time
| Test type | Ideal time |
|---|---|
| Swab | The swab test may be performed as soon as the first blisters appear .Technique: A doctor scrapes the fresh lesion, collecting skin and fluid. To get accurate test results, this should be done within 48 hours of the appearance of the lesion .Note that technique and timing are important. This test is not commonly done for that reason, |
| Blood test for IgG |
Earliest time |
|
12 weeks after the initial exposure, over 92% of infected people are positive |
Get treated and/or tested for herpes
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What Is The Window Period For Herpes
The window period is the phase between being exposed to an STD like herpes and the time where an organism can be detected in the body, via the presence of antibodies.
The herpes blood test window period is three to six weeks. This is how long it takes for your body to produce antibodies that can be detected via testing. The majority of people infected with herpes will have detectable antibodies 16 weeks after exposure.
If you get tested during the window period, you may get a false-negative result from your at-home herpes test. This means you may have been infected with herpes, but believe youre negative and therefore, may pass the infection on in the future to sexual partners. To be 100% sure about your herpes test result, make sure you carry out your at-home test after the end of the window period.
It should be noted that if you are experiencing physical symptoms of herpes such as sores around the mouth or genitals, fever, and redness you can get tested right away with any of the three testing methods.
The window period should not be confused with the incubation, which is the time it takes for your body to develop a response to the herpes virus i.e. for symptoms to appear.
For both Herpes Simplex Virus Type I and Herpes Simplex Virus Type II , the incubation period is about the same at 2 to 12 days, with symptoms developing in around 3 to 6 days. When the vesicles break, causing ulcers, it will take four to two weeks to heal.
How Often Is A Positive Herpes Test Correct
Then although almost all negative tests would still be accurate, positive tests would only be correct 55% to 85% of the time. In other words, there would be a lot of false positive tests. The possibility of false positive tests in populations where herpes isnt common is a big concern.
1. Doctor diagnosed me for having HSV-1 because I was having an outbreak and prescribed me with Valtrex that worked but blood, urine, and swabs came out NEGATIVE for HSV-1& 2. Also boyfriend got tested 2x still negative. How is this possible?
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Get Tested Within The Window Period
All the herpes tests are time sensitive. So they accuracy depends on when the tests are done.
A swab test is best done on fresh sores within 48hours or them appearing. If they arent fresh the swab can give a false negative.
Serologic, or blood, testing allows us to screen individuals for infection with herpes simplex. The new tests for herpes, called type-specific serologic tests, distinguish between HSV-2 and HSV-1, the other type of herpes simplex virus.
These newer tests detect IgG antibodies directed against the cell wall protein specific for HSV-1 or HSV-2. Older serologic tests did not reliably distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 and, as a result, were not a reliable way to make a diagnosis of genital herpes.
The IgG test looks for antibodies towards the virus but it takes our body 4-6 months to produce those antibodies for them to be detectable on that test. It takes about three to six weeks for individuals to develop detectable antibodies for herpes simplex. Virtually everyone will have detectable antibodies by 16 weeks. So testing too soon can give false negatives.
Which Herpes Test Should You Get
Each method of testing for herpes has advantages and disadvantages, from time and cost, to an increased possibility of false results. Often, people concerned about the virus use a range of herpes testing to get a more accurate, proven picture of whether or not theyre infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Since herpes is a lifelong infection that cant be cured, its important to discuss testing options with your healthcare provider and make sure you receive an accurate result. Your healthcare provider will be able to tell you more about the best options for herpes testing based on your symptoms and situation.
Typically, your healthcare provider will carry out a physical exam before choosing the best testing method for you. As herpes symptoms tend to be worst during the initial outbreak of the virus, its best to talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you start experiencing symptoms.
In the event that you do have herpes, theres no need to panic. Both oral and genital herpes are extremely common, and a variety of effective treatments are available for both.
Our Valacyclovir 101 guide goes into more detail about one of the most common, effective drugs for treating both symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes. You can also learn more about the risk of catching herpes in our guide to how herpes is transmitted between people.
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What Can Cause A False Herpes Test
A person who only has HSV-1 may receive a false positive for HSV-2. IgM tests sometimes cross-react with other viruses in the same family, such as varicella zoster virus which causes chickenpox or cytomegalovirus which causes mono, meaning that positive results may be misleading.
How accurate is herpes blood test?
Herpes blood tests have a sensitivity level of about 80-98%. This type of test detects antibodies to the herpes virus, so it may not be as accurate when performed soon after infection.
How do you get a false positive herpes test?
What does low positive herpes mean?
These findings indicate that if you didnt have signs and symptoms of genital herpes and were diagnosed by an test alone and had a low positive index value, theres a 50-50 chance the test was wrong, Wald said. In that case, you should get a confirmatory test.
Herpes 2 Igg Abs Blood Test
This Test is used to screen for exposure to Herpes type 2 only. It looks for IgG antibodies which typically begin to develop around 4 weeks after exposure. In some cases, these antibodies may take up to 12 weeks to be detectable. The Herpes 2 IgG Abs test is highly accurate in screening for Herpes as it looks for antibodies that will last for the life of the infected person. Per CDC guidelines, this test now includes an automatic confirmatory test which will be performed at no additional cost in the event of an equivocal or low positive result.
Herpes is a viral infection spread by skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual activity. Herpes 2 is the stronger, less common form of the Herpes virus. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people between the ages of 14 and 49 have type 2 Herpes. Herpes 2 is often associated with Genital Herpes. However, both Herpes 1 and 2 are spread through skin-to-skin contact. It is possible to spread either form of the virus to the oral or genital area depending on the type of contact which results in infection. The most common symptom of Herpes is periodic outbreaks of sores or blisters around the infected area. However, it is not unusual for Herpes to display no symptoms for years at a time. Herpes can be spread even if the infected person is not experiencing an outbreak, which is known as asymptomatic shedding. Chronic Herpes infections can cause damage to the nervous system and increase the likelihood of contracting other STDs including HIV.
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What Is A Serum Herpes Simplex Antibodies Test
A serum herpes simplex antibodies test is a blood test that checks for the presence of antibodies to the herpes simplex virus .
HSV is a common infection that causes herpes. Herpes can appear in various parts of the body, but it most commonly affects the genitals or mouth. The two types of herpes infections are HSV-1 and HSV-2.
HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes, usually causes cold sores and blisters near the mouth and on the face.
Its transmitted through kissing or sharing drinking glasses and utensils with a person who has an HSV infection.
HSV-2 is typically responsible for causing genital herpes. Its generally transmitted through sexual contact.
HSV-1 and HSV-2 dont always cause symptoms, and people may not know they have the infection.
The serum herpes simplex antibodies test doesnt actually check for the HSV infection itself. However, it can determine whether someone has antibodies to the virus.
Antibodies are special proteins that the body uses to defend itself against invading organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
This means that most people who have an HSV infection will have the corresponding antibodies.
The test can detect antibodies for both types of HSV infections.
Your doctor may order a serum herpes simplex antibodies test if they suspect you have an HSV infection.
The results will determine whether youve contracted an HSV infection. If you have the antibodies to HSV, youll test positive even if you dont currently show any symptoms.
How Common Herpes Really Is
Enough people have herpes to make it a totally commonplace infection, even though we may not treat it as one.
Nearly 48 percent of people aged 14 to 49 in the United States were estimated to have HSV-1 between 2015 and 2016, according to the most recent data from the CDC. This high prevalence makes sense because many people actually get the virus from nonsexual contact as children, the CDC explains. This can happen when a parent greets a child with a kiss on the mouth or while a kid is playing with other little ones, since children arent exactly known for their respect of personal space. Remember: HSV-1 often presents as cold sores, but its possible that some people with HSV-1 actually have genital herpes.
So, about genital herpes. You may have heard that one in six people has this infection. Thats a little bit of an outdated figure, Christine Johnston, M.D., an associate professor and herpes researcher at the University of Washington School of Medicine, tells SELF. That number is related to national survey data released by the CDC in 2010 and based on the years 2005 through 2008. This nationally representative research, published in the CDCs 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey , tested peoples blood samples for antibodies of HSV-1 and HSV-2, estimating that 16.2 percent of Americans aged 14 to 49 had HSV-2 between the years 2005 and 2008. Thats around one in six.
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If A Pregnant Woman Gets Genital Herpes Is There A Chance Her Baby Can Get Infected
Yes. Even though adults with genital herpes may not have any symptoms, herpes infections in babies can be life-threatening. Women who get genital herpes during late pregnancy have a very high risk for having a baby with herpes infection, and these women may not even know they are infected. Women who get herpes during early pregnancy, or who are infected before they get pregnant can also spread herpes to their babies. Most babies with herpes get infected as they come into contact with the herpes virus while passing through the birth canal, but infection can also occur before birth or in the weeks after birth.
If you are pregnant and think that you or your partner may have genital herpes, tell your doctor. Your doctor can order testing and can talk to you about ways to lower your babys risk for infection.
How We Chose The Best At
When researching at-home herpes tests, we considered online reviews, privacy protocols, result times, result accuracy, and budget.
We prioritized affordable pricing and accessibility to digital results. Additionally, we kept an eye on user ratings and reviews to ensure that most people received accurate results and were happy with their experience.
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A Little Something About Hsv
HSV-1 can also have low index values that are false positive. If there is no history of symptoms and it is a true positive, it is impossible to know if an HSV-1 infection is oral or genital . More than 50% of adults in the U.S. will test positive for HSV-1.
Take that number in
Most HSV-1 infections are oral and plenty of people dont recall ever having a cold sore or symptoms that would explain their HSV-1 diagnosis. That said, there are also many people who contract it genitally, often from someone who has the infection orally and performs oral sex .
Hsv 1/2 Test Results Interpretation
Positive IgG antibodies against Virus herpes 1 means the body is immune to this virus or the immunity still build up, the same for IgG antiherpes antibodies means an old infection that the body has built defense against.Positive IgM anti-herpes antibodies Virus 1 and 2 means the body just started the immunity response against the herpes virus, while beginning of the virus infection may be occurred several weeks ago.In the acute stage of herpes infection skin lesions with characteristic blisters occur by HSV-1 or genitalia sores which associated with STD infections. Severe manifestations, such as an HSV-associated encephalitis or herpes corneae are rare. Herpes simplex virus infects the neurons of the dorsal root ganglia, where it causes lifelong latent infection. The virus is often reactivated, leading to recurrent symptoms.Which Ab. test can detect herpes virus earlier?In the acute stage of infection direct detection of the virus from the vesicles content via PCR is indicated. In addition, detection of IgM antibodies against HSV is important to confirm acute primary infection. However, not all patients produce IgM antibodies in the acute phase of infection besides, IgM antibodies may also be detectable in cases of recurrent or persistent infection.What is the most accurate specific test against herpes virus types other than PCR test?What is against HSV-1 glycoprotein G or HSV-2 glycoprotein G ?Classic ELISA Antibody Blood Test
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