There is often a lot of confusion about herpes and the tests for herpes. Sometimes people do not understand how the tests work, how they detect the presence of the herpes virus and how results are
ask your doctor questions about the tests, what is being done and what it all means.
However, to answer some fairly common questions about herpes testing, we have added this section. If you think you may have been exposed to the herpes virus, you can not immediately run out to your doctor and have a test to prove you are safe. If you want to make an appointment, this is fine and if you have physical symptoms of some type of infection, it is suggested that you go ahead and make an
appointment to have it treated. However, if you have been exposed to the herpes virus, it can take time to get accurate results as to whether or not you have the virus since most tests work by checking to see if you have antibodies against the virus.
So basically, if you feel you have an STD or if you suspect you might have HSV1 or 2, you can see your doctor right away but be aware that in many cases, it might take time to get accurate results back. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your tests and your results, you should be sure to ask your doctor. This is an
important aspect of your life and it’s important that you fully understand everything.
Are there tests to show you which type of the virus you have? There are tests that will show you whether you have the
antibodies for HSV1 or type 2. These new blood tests are typically referred to as “Type Specific Serology”.
Not all blood tests are able to tell between the two types of herpes virus and since both can occur in either the oral areas or the genital areas, you can’t always go by location either.
However, for most people, herpes is herpes and sores are sores and it’s not that important which particular type you have. If it is
important to you, then you need to be sure you are asking your doctor for a type-specific test.
Serology tests are types of tests that check for antibodies in a person’s blood. If you have the antibodies in your blood, it means your body has been exposed to that particular virus and has produced these substances to fight the past infection. This will also mean that the virus is still dormant in your system which makes you are carrier of the virus. Blood tests can be done at any time, whether you have an active outbreak or not because it doesn’t require taking a swab of a lesion or sore.
However, many commercial tests for herpes do not distinguish between the two types of the virus so if you want to know this, you have to talk to your doctor about getting type specific tests before hand. These serology tests are more accurate that antigen testing but there are a couple things you need to keep in mind.
One is that all doctors do not automatically order type-specific blood tests. The other thing is that it can take from several weeks up to three months for a person to make antibodies against the infection so if you have been recently infected, it can still take some time to get
How do type specific tests work? The tests are based on antibodies to two proteins that make up part of the HSV-1 and HSV-2 virus
structure.
• One protein is called glycoprotein gG-1 and it is found only on
the outside of the HSV-1 virus or in cells infected with HSV-1 as the virus is produced.
• The other protein is called glycoprotein gG-2 and is found on
HSV-2 virus or in cells infected with HSV-2.
Are there any tests that can show you how long you have had the virus?
Currently there are not any tests that can show you how long the virus has been in your system. For example, the tests will only show that you have antibodies for a particular strain of herpes virus. They can not tell you that you developed these antibodies in 1998, etc.
You may hear of testing for IgG or IgM. This is testing for the lymphocytes in your body hat occur when you are exposed to the herpes virus and if your test is taken soon after exposure, it can tell you whether you have IgGs or IgMs in your body but this is not really a way to determine how long you have had the virus, particularly if you were exposed more than 3 months ago. Whether it was 3 months or 3 years, the result would be the same.
To understand these tests you need to know that B lymphocytes are the cells that are responsible for antibody-mediated (this is also called humoral immunity) responses, which is what occurs when
lots of information about how your immune system works.) These B cells are coated with immunoglobulins and that's what gives them the ability to recognize the protein in HSV and trigger an antibody
reaction. There are fives classes of these immunoglobulins or antibodies. Two of them are the IgM and IgG that you mentioned. IgM's are formed during the early phase of exposure as you
mentioned. IgG's are the major blood plasma antibodies that are formed in response to a virus or bacteria.
Can I be tested for herpes even if I have never had any symptoms?
Again, this is a fairly common question. Since many people who have been exposed to the herpes virus show no symptoms or signs, they may continue spreading the virus to other people. It is important that if you think you have been exposed, you get tested even if you show no signs or symptoms of outbreak.
You can be tested even if you have no signs and have never had any symptoms but it will require a blood test instead of a swab test. However, it’s important to note that you might need to take the test more than once to completely rule it out, especially if you have been exposed recently. It may take some time for antibodies to show up in your system if you have never had an outbreak.
Chapter Review
1. Symptoms of herpes include sores or lesions on or in your mouth or on or around the genital area. General “ill” feeling or flu-like symptoms.
2. Doctors test for herpes by taking blood or taking a sample of an active lesion or sore.
3. Positive test results mean you have been exposed to the herpes virus. Tests can also show which type of herpes simplex virus you have.
4. You can be tested even if you have never had signs or symptoms.
5. There are tests that can distinguish which type of the herpes virus you have. There are also non-type specific tests that just check for herpes virus, not a particular strain of it.