Is there a test to detect herpes?

There are tests available for herpes, but sometimes they turn up negative. When there is an obvious discharge or an open sore, a sample of the fluid can be looked under an electron microscope. The test does require extensive preparation of the sample to be looked at under the microscope. In many cases, the test does end up as a negative. Checking for a virus under a microscope is not routine practice.

There is a blood test whereby one can check for antibodies to the virus. When the herpes virus infection is acute, the body’s immune system will react by making antibodies which react towards the virus. These antibodies can be checked in blood.

The blood test is most sensitive when there is an active infection present. When the herpes infection disappears, the antibody levels fall off and are sometimes not measurable. If the blood tests reveals the presence of antibodies, than it means you may have either oral or genital herpes. If the is negative, it simply means that you may have the virus, but the levels of antibody are too small to be detected. In other words you do not have an acute infection at the moment.

How do i know if i have herpes?

Herpes simplex is very common in the North American population. You may have herpes but not have any symptoms. The virus generally hides in nerves and flares up periodically. Not everyone who acquires herpes has symptoms. In fact the majority of people who do have herpes (and you could be one of them) have no idea if they have the virus.

Herpes virus (type 1) is easily contracted from kissing an affected individual or having sex. Some individuals may deny having sex but there are not many people who have not been kissed! So chances are that you may not have genital herpes if you have not had sex, but more than likely you may have oral herpes.

Oral herpes is extremely common and simple contact of sores with hands or the mouth can easily transfer the virus to the unsuspecting individual. Estimates from infectious disease data indicate that close to 60-80 percent of adults in North America have oral herpes.

Genital or type 2 herpes is slightly less common but there are still a lot of adults who have this virus. The virus is easily acquired during sex and estimates indicate that close to 20-30 percent of the population has this virus.

The majority of individuals who have herpes do not even know they have it. And if you do not know, you play a role in the spread of the virus. Eventually the virus will cause symptoms and then you will definitely know if you have herpes.