Blood Test For Herpes
August 21st, 2010 -- Posted in Test For Herpes | No Comments »
Cold sores and herpes are related conditions that will affect as many as eighty per cent of us at some point in our lives. It is possible to carry the virus and not show any outward sign or symptoms of being infected. In such situations it is still possible to pass on the condition to our partners unwittingly. Fortunately today there are numerous types of blood test for herpes that can be used to give an accurate indication of the presence of the virus.
Blood Test For Herpes Photo by Lori Greig via Flickr
A herpes blood test is still the most common type of testing used to identify whether an individual is a carrier. Blood tests help to highlight the condition when outward signs such as ulcers and redness may not be so common. A sample of blood is taken and then analyzed for herpes antibodies which are produced naturally by the body to keep away an infection.
In most cases blood tests for herpes are very accurate, though a false reading may be given if the infection has occurred recently. Usually herpes antibodies can take between two weeks and three months to appear in the blood.
Most basic forms of blood testing for herpes do not always show specifically the type of virus that is present. Understand that the HSV-1 virus which is the primary cause of cold sores is different than the HSV-2 virus that is known to result in genital herpes. There are type specific blood tests that can highlight which virus is present in the body though these may not be given until a basic test is first carried out.
You may be offered the western blot test by your GP. This is believed to be as much as three times more accurate than other forms of herpes testing. As with the other procedures, time is an important factor. Most health specialists recommend waiting a minimum of two weeks after possible exposure before choosing this option. The western blot test must be carried out in a medical center and is not available for home use.
If you are after a test that can give quick results then you should ask your doctor about the Point of Care Kit. This is a less expensive and more widely available option than the western blot test. As with other tests it is preferable to wait at least two weeks or more after exposure for any virus to be effectively identified.
When lesions or other physical signs are present either around the oral cavity or the genitals then it would be preferable to opt for a cell culture test. This would involve a swab being swiped directly over the lesion and then sent to a laboratory for testing. This is often thought of as the single most accurate test that is available for herpes.
If you have any concerns or queries about blood tests for herpes then it is worthwhile discussing these with you family doctor where you can be provided with complete confidentiality as well as a professional service and the bed cures for herpes options.
