Herpes and cold sores affect over 80% of Americans and most unknowingly carry either the HSV-1 or HSV-2 strain. Outward signs, for some herpes sufferers never manifest into a full blown breakout, but "herpes shedding" may still occur and they may unwittingly transfer the virus to their partner or partners. Testing for the virus does exist in two forms: cell culture testing and blood tests.
Herpes Blood Test
As of now one of the most common forms of testing, especially when no outward signs of herpes, ie., redness, tingling or ulcers have been encountered. Blood is drawn and tested for herpes antibodies in the system. The body will build these antibodies naturally in order to fend of infection. Although very accurate long term, false negatives may occur if you or your partner have been recently infected. Antibodies take anywhere form 2 weeks to 3 moths to show in your system and the doctor may recommend a swab sample to be taken should HSV-1 or HSV-2 symptoms occur.
Type Specific Herpes Blood Tests
As mentioned before, recent exposure to the virus and sometimes generate false negatives, moreover, most herpes blood tests do not test specifically for either HSV-1 which causes "cold sores" or HSV-2 which is the primary cause of genital herpes. Type specific blood tests, test for gG1 which is found in the HSV-1 strain and gG2 which is found in the HSV-2 strain.
Western Blot Test?
There are currently many labs performing type specific herpes blood tests, most notably, is The Western Blot. The Western Blot Test is used for other testing such as HIV and Lyme Disease. This test is said to be up 300% more accurate over all than cell culture testing. Time is still a factor with this test and it is recommended to wait 2 weeks after exposure to perform this test if no outward signs are present. The Western Blot test is not available in home testing and arrangements to need to be made.
POCkit (Point Of Care Kit)
More readily available, these tests can be performed in the doctors' office and yield immediate results. These tests are not type specific, but are very effective in testing for the virus. POCkit are less expensive and more often performed, than The Western Blot. POCkits are widely viewed to be 93% effective in negating "false negative" results. As with the Western Blot Test, it is recommended to wait 2 weeks or more after exposure, to test for the virus' presence.
Cell Culture Test
If a lesion is present either orally or genitally a cell culture test would be more appropriate. A swab is taken from the lesion directly and sent to the lab for testing. This very specific method does not yield many "false negatives" and is viewed to be more accurate than herpes blood tests.
Herpes blood tests are by far the most accurate tests available when outward symptoms are not present. Consult with your physician on any specific questions you may hay concerning testing and further treatment options.