Herpes Tests - Herpes Testing

Herpes tests are performed to determine whether someone has one of the two types of herpes - Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV1) and Herpes Simplex Virus II (HSVII).

Herpes Simplex Virus I is spread through oral contact, or sharing of forks and spoons while dining when one of the participants has an active sore. Herpes Simplex Virus II is a sexually transmitted virus, though there are times when HSVII can also cause mouth sores. And in rare cases, herpes symptoms can crop up in other parts of the body besides the mouth or genetelia.

This is one of many reasons why herpes testing is so important. Without knowing which type of herpes you have, if you even have herpes, you can't know the proper course of action to take. By being tested for herpes you can both enter a course of treatment and just as importantly, prevent further spread of the virus.

Same Day Herpes Testing

Herpes antibody tests look for the antibodies that the immune system produces to fight off the herpes infection. There are two types of antibodies that may show up in the test results: 

• The HSV IgM test detects antibodies of an active or recent herpes infection 
• The HSV IgG test detects antibodies of a previous herpes infection 

Other various herpes tests include:

• Herpes viral culture - cells or fluids from a fresh sore are collected to see if the virus is present
• Herpes virus antigen detection test - cells from a fresh sore are collected to identify if there are herpes antigens present
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test - bodily fluids, most commonly from the spine, are tested in order to look for herpes DNA

Obtaining a confidential test for herpes is as simple as contacting our counselors to schedule a test at one of our local testing clinics near you.