herpes_hsv_test
Reviewed
Also called: herpes culture, herpes simplex viral culture, HSV-1 antibodies, HSV-2 antibodies, HSV DNA
A herpes (HSV) test looks for signs of the herpes simplex virus. There is no cure, but medicines can help manage outbreaks. The test can be done using fluid from a sore during an outbreak or a blood sample if you have no symptoms. Results depend on the type of test and your health history.
Specimen: fluid from a sore (swab) or blood (from a vein in your arm)
Why this test may be ordered
- You have symptoms such as blisters or sores on the mouth, genitals, anus, buttocks, or other skin areas; fever and flu-like symptoms; swollen glands; pain or tingling in the affected area; discharge from the urethra or vagina; painful urination.
- Your partner has genital herpes or symptoms that might be genital herpes.
- You are at higher risk of exposure (multiple sexual partners, other STIs, HIV, sex without condoms or dental dams, sex in exchange for money or drugs, or if you are a man who has sex with other men).
- Rare cases of HSV in the brain or spinal cord (encephalitis or meningitis).
- Your baby may have been exposed to HSV during childbirth.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for a swab test or a blood test. For a lumbar puncture (if needed), you may be asked to empty your bladder and bowels before the test.
For a swab test, a health care professional uses a swab to collect fluid and cells from a herpes sore that has not begun to heal yet. For a blood test, a health care professional takes a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. At-home tests are available that use a blood sample you collect at home and send to a lab.
After a swab test, you may have a little bleeding or discomfort where your skin was swabbed, which usually doesn't last long. A blood test has very little risk; you may have slight pain or bruising at the needle spot, but most symptoms go away quickly. If you have a lumbar puncture (rare), you may feel some pain or tenderness in your back, have some bleeding at the site, or a headache.
Understanding results
The meaning of your test results depends on the type of HSV test you had. Your provider will consider your health history and any symptoms you have.
- Negative/Normal: Signs of the herpes virus were not found in your sample, and you are unlikely to have an HSV infection. However, you can have a negative result when you really do have a herpes infection if you had a blood test for HSV antibodies too soon after an infection began, because your body takes up to three months to make HSV antibodies. Limitation: A negative result does not rule out infection if the test was done too soon after exposure. Next step: Your provider will interpret this result based on your symptoms and history.
- Positive/Abnormal: Signs of HSV were found in your sample. If you had a blood test that showed you have HSV antibodies, the antibodies could be from an active infection now or a past infection. Having an HSV infection may increase your risk of getting HIV and other STIs. Limitation: A positive result does not tell you when you were infected or whether you will have symptoms. Next step: Talk with your provider about treatment to help reduce outbreaks and control symptoms, and about HIV testing along with testing for other STIs. Take steps to avoid spreading HSV to others (using condoms can help). Ask your provider how to know when your risk for spreading the virus may be high.
- A negative blood test result may occur if the test is done too soon after infection, before your body has made antibodies (up to three months).
- A positive blood test result cannot distinguish between a current active infection and a past infection.
- Swab tests may miss the virus if the sore is already healing or if the sample is not collected properly.
- At-home tests require you to collect and send a blood sample; talk with your provider to find out if at-home testing is right for you.
What to do next
Your provider will interpret your results based on your health history and symptoms. If you have HSV, treatment can help reduce outbreaks and control symptoms. Talk with your provider about HIV testing and other STI testing, and about steps to avoid spreading HSV to others.
- What type of HSV test did I have (swab from a sore or blood test for antibodies)?
- What do my results mean for my health and for my partner(s)?
- Do I need any follow-up tests (such as HIV testing)?
- How can I reduce the risk of spreading HSV to others?
- What treatments are available to manage outbreaks?