Pcr, (polymerase chain reaction) is one diagnostic tool used in diagnosing herpes simplex infections. PCR is also used to differentiate between Herpes Simplex type 1, and herpes Simplex type 2.
pcr Blood Test -Herpes.
The majority of persons infected with HSV-2 have not been diagnosed with genital herpes. Many such persons have mild or unrecognized infections but shed virus intermittently in the genital tract.
The majority of genital herpes infections are transmitted by persons unaware that they have the infection or who are asymptomatic when transmission occurs.
Unknowingly these people spread the virus infection to their sexual partner(s).
It is not surprising then that infections with Herpes Simplex 2 are very common indeed.
Approximately one in four women are infected, and one in five in men. The new number of cases is estimated to be approximately one million per year in the US.
Diagnostic tests.
There are different types of tests used to diagnose a Herpes infection.
Viral Culture. A culture is done on an open lesion. This test can frequently produce false negatives as the virus has to be present in the lesion/sore for the result to be accurate.
Anti Body Test.
This will test for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies may take some time to appear so if the infection is a recent one, antibodies may not be detected in a blood test.
The antibody test can be used as a screening test, as depending on what type of antibody is tested, IgG or IgM the test may not distinguish between Herpes Simplex type 1, and Herpes Simplex Type 2.
Another draw back to the antibody test is that it can not distinguish between and old infection, versus a recent one.
The PCR test.
PCr, (polymerase chain reaction) is a test that detects the DNA of the virus.
(The DNA is part of the cell nucleus of the virus)
The pcr test can be done on the actual lesion, but also fluids such as blood or spinal fluid. The pcr test can also distinguish between a HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection.
xml