Herpes Simplex Virus is a contagious virus that can be transmitted through direct contact. Children will often have positive HSV I from early contact with an adult who has an infection (by eating from the same utensils, shring lip balm, kissing etc).They can carry the virus for the rest of their lives. HSV II is a genital type of the virus and is transmitted through sexual contact. It is diagnosed with a physical exam by dermatologists if the body sores and by asking some about your symptoms. It may als be tested by a swab culture from genital fluid from the sore. However for this test, there is only limited time when the virus can directly be tested from the sore fluid. If there are no sores present, the suspected infections may be through a blood test of HSV antibodies in the blood. IgM antibodies of both types of infection are the earliest markers of the infection where IgG antibodies show the immunity of a past infection.
Interpretation:Positive HSV Type I and II IgM means HSV I virus is active in the body and the patient may be experiencing an initial or recurrent outbreak from a past infection (recurrent infections may show positive IgG results). A negative IgM and positive IgG of both types might be the result of either an acute infection that has been defeated by the immune system or a past infection. HSV Virus contains to live in the nerve cells. Therefore, some people may experience regular outbreaks. Stress, menstrual periods, fever or illness, sun exposure or sunburn may trigger the outbreaks.
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: Next day 6:00 PM
