Tests and diagnosis for genital herpes infection

Genital herpes infection is one of the most common STDs that has no cure. Know the tests used to diagnose the herpes infection.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Updated: August 27, 2014 1:02 pm

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Herpes spreads through vaginal, anal or oral sex from an infected person to another. It affects both men and women alike and usually shows no symptoms until later in the course of the disease. Unlike other STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), genital herpes infection is not life threatening. But it does not have a ‘cure’, so the person suffering from the disease has to live with it for the rest of their life.

Caused by the type 2 (HSV-2) herpes simplex virus, the condition is diagnosed on the basis of its symptoms. One of the most common symptoms you might notice are sores around your genital region (vagina and penis); and in some cases you may notice them in your mouth as well. Babies born to women suffering from genital herpes, are at a greater risk of contracting the disease, especially if the woman has a normal delivery (i.e. through the vagina).

Your dermatologist may diagnose the infection through a simple physical examination of the sores. In order to confirm the diagnosis, you may need to undergo a test called a viral culture test, where your mouth is swabbed to test for the presence of the virus. In case you suspect herpes infection (in absence of sores); your doctor may recommend other clinical tests like blood tests to confirm the presence of the virus.

Laboratory tests to detect herpes virus

Viral cell culture

This test involves taking a sample by swabbing the fresh sores for infected cells or fluid with the help of a cotton swab. The herpes viral culture is known to often give false-negative results (it fails to detect the virus even when present) due to the fact that HSV antibodies take a few weeks to show up in the blood. You may also get a false-negative test if the sores are healing or if you have been recently infected by the herpes infection.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test:

This is the most common diagnostic test used to diagnose genital herpes and is very accurate. PCR test uses cells or fluid from a sore, blood or any other fluid like spinal fluid as sample. The test looks for viral DNA (genetic material) so as to differentiate between HSV–1 and HSV–2 herpes infections. In cases where the herpes virus is suspected to have infected the meninges, the PCR test is extremely handy and used as a method to confirm the diagnosis.

Antigen detection test

In this test, cells from fresh sores are swabbed and smeared onto a microscopic slide. This test usually finds antigens present on the surface of the viral infected cells. This antigen detection test is performed along with a viral culture or can be done in its place.

Antibody test

In direct fluorescent antibody testing, a solution of fluorescent dye and antibodies of herpes simplex virus are added to a cell sample. If the cell sample contains the virus, the antibodies will attach to it and the fluorescent dye that is combined with the antibody will glow when viewed under the microscope. Some antibody tests do identify the type of the herpes virus (HSV–1 or HSV–2) responsible for the infection as well. But, this test usually fails to identify the exact cause of the herpes infection like whether the infection has occurred lately or has occurred in the past.

References:

Genital Herpes – CDC Fact Sheet – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Genital Herpes Tests and Diagnosis – Mayoclinic
Genital Herpes Health Center– WebMD

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Published : June 18, 2014 5:08 pm | Updated:August 27, 2014 1:02 pm

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