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There are various factors which medical professionals think about when identifying the way to test for herpes. Foremost among them are if visible signs and symptoms of infection (i.e. blisters and sores) are present, and which kinds of other possible symptoms of genital herpes are reported by the patient. Getting the precise diagnosis may be surprisingly difficult, but the chances for success increase considerably if the proper test is given at the optimal moment. Tips On How To Test For Herpes During An Outbreak Of the 3 common kinds of screening utilized to identify genital herpes infections, a couple of these are prescribed only if the patient is screened while in an outbreak with skin lesions. Gathering Viral Cultures When blisters and sores, along with other obvious signs of genital herpes are present at the time someone sees a doctor, the most-used means of testing is to take a culture. This process involves accumulating a sample of fluid from one of the sores, and giving it to a lab for examination. When seen through a microscope, the fluid will often reveal with a high level of certainty whether the herpes simplex virus is present within the patient's body. PCR Tests Like the previously mentioned viral culture swabs, Polymerase Chain Reaction tests (also known as PCR exams), are also typically prescribed when the patient is showing visible signs of genital herpes at the time of inspection. Unlike culture swabs, however, PCR tests are conducted with samples compiled from spinal fluid. Due to the added cost and difficulty associated with PCR tests, they are usually just applied if the doctor has reason to think that the herpes virus may cause another infection of important organs or the nervous system. Since this kind of scenario is quite unusual, doctors generally decide to administer the viral culture swab as a replacement. The Best Way To Screen For Herpes When No Signs or Symptoms Exist If a patient thinks that he or she is infected with herpes simplex 2, however is not showing physical symptoms at the time of examination, your doctor may possibly choose to take a blood test for herpes. This type of screening requires drawing a sample of blood and testing it for the presence of herpes antibodies. Of the types of tests covered in this article, the blood test is considered by most health care professionals to be the most reliable since it is around 90% accurate at determining infections. The single downside is that it typically can not be administered until the patient's body has built up an adequate level of antibodies - a process that could take months. A Significant Note On Testing For Herpes There has been a significant amount of debate in the medical community in recent times with regards to testing for herpes. As the viral culture swab and PCR test could both produce false-negative results approximately 30% of the time, there are many doctors who feel that they are not worth the time and money they require. If you believe that you have developed genital herpes, and want to be certain, it is recommended that you request a blood test. These days, it's how to test for herpes if you need to get the most precise diagnosis possible.
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