What is a herpes (HSV) test?

Herpes is a skin disease brought about by the herpes simplex virus, referred to as HSV. HSV causes excruciating blisters or injuries in various parts of the body. There are two primary types of HSV:

HSV-1, which for the most part causes rankles or cold blisters around the mouth (oral herpes)

HSV-2, which normally causes rankles or bruises in the genital area (genital herpes)

Herpes is spread through direct contact with wounds. HSV-2 is typically spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Also, herpes can be spread regardless of whether there is a visible wound.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are repeating diseases. That implies after your first outbreak of bruises clears up, you may get another outbreak later on. In any case, the seriousness and number of outbreaks will generally diminish after some time. Even though oral and genital herpes can be awkward, the infections generally don't cause any severe health issues.

In uncommon cases, HSV can infect different parts of the body, including the brain and spinal cord. These infections can be intense. Herpes can likewise be dangerous to an infant. A mother with herpes can pass the disease to her child during birth. A herpes infection can be dangerous to an infant.

An HSV test searches for the presence of the virus in your body. While there is no remedy for herpes, there are medications that can help manage the condition.

Different names: herpes culture, herpes simplex viral culture, HSV-1 antibodies, HSV-2 antibodies, HSV DNA

What is it used for?

An HSV test might be used to:

See if wounds on the mouth or private parts are brought about by HSV

Analyze an HSV disease in a pregnant lady

See whether an infant is infected with HSV

For what reason do I need an HSV test?

You may require an HSV test if:

You have indications of herpes, for example, rankle or wounds on the private parts or other parts of the body

Your sex partner has herpes

You are pregnant and you or your partner has had a past herpes infection or side symptoms of genital herpes. On the off chance that you test positive for HSV, your child may require testing too.

HSV-2 may increase your danger of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STDs). You may require a test on the off chance that you have certain risk factors for STDs. You might be at higher risk in the event that you:

Have many sex partners

Are a man who engages in sexual relations with men

Have a partner suffering from HIV or another STD

In uncommon cases, HSV can cause encephalitis or meningitis, a severe infection of the brain and spinal cord. You may require a HSV test on the off chance that you have symptoms of a brain or spinal cord issue. These include:

Fever

Stiffness of the neck

Sensitivity to light

Confusion

Serious migraine or severe headache

What occurs during an HSV test?

HSV testing is typically done as a swab test, blood test, or lumbar picture. The kind of test you get will rely upon your manifestations or symptoms and health history.

For a swab test, a medical doctor or your healthcare provider will use a swab to gather fluid and cells from the herpes sore.

For a blood test, a medical doctor or your healthcare provider will take a blood test from a vein in your arm, using a little needle. After the needle is embedded, a small quantity of blood will be gathered into a test cylinder or vial. You may feel a touch of sting when the needle goes in or out. This typically takes under five minutes.

A lumbar picture, also referred to as a spinal tap, is possibly done if your medical doctor or your health care issuer figures you may have an infection of the brain or spinal cord. During a spinal tap:

You will lie on your side or sit on a test table.

A medical doctor or your health care provider will clean your back and inject anesthetics into your skin, so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Your medical doctor or your health care issuer may put a numbing cream on your back before this injection.

When the area on your back is numb, your medical doctor or your health care issuer will embed a slender, empty needle between two vertebrae in your lower spine. Vertebrae are the small backbones that make up your spine.

Your medical doctor or your health care provider will pull back a small quantity of cerebrospinal fluid for testing. This will take around five minutes.

Your medical doctor or your health care issuer may request that you lie on your back for an hour or two after the procedure. This may keep you from getting a headache subsequently.

Are there any dangers to the test?

There is no known danger to having a swab test.

There is next to no danger to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or wounding at the spot where the needle was placed, however, most indications leave rapidly.

In the event that you had a lumbar picture, you may have pain or softness in your back where the needle was embedded. You may likewise get a headache after the procedure.

What do the results (outcomes mean)?

Your HSV test results will be given as negative, likewise called normal, or positive, also called abnormal.

Negative/Normal. The herpes infection was not found. You may still at present have an HSV disease even if your outcomes were negative. It might mean the sample needed more of the infection to be identified. If you still have manifestations of herpes, you may need to get tried once more.

Positive/Abnormal. HSV was found in your sample. It might mean you have an active infection (you have bruises), or were infected before (you have no bruises).

In the event that you come out positive for HSV, converse with your medical doctor or your health care provider. While there is no remedy for herpes, it scarcely ever causes serious medical issues. A few people may just have one outbreak of injuries their entire lives, while others may have an outbreak regularly. In the event that you need to decrease the seriousness and number of your outbreaks, your medical doctor or your healthcare provider may recommend a prescription that can help.

Is there something else I have to be aware of about an HSV test?

The most ideal approach to prevent genital herpes or another STD is to not engage in sexual relations. On the off chance that you are sexually active, you can reduce your danger of disease by

Being in a relationship who has tested negative for STDs

Using condoms accurately every time you have intercourse

In the event that you've been diagnosed to have genital herpes, condom use can lessen your danger of spreading the infection to other people.

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