Diagnosing Genital Herpes
Depending on the type and extent of the symptoms experienced by a patient, a doctor can suggest the type of diagnostic tool to be used.
This is the same even in the diagnosis of genital herpes.
The doctor can diagnose the disease through a simple visual examination of the bumps or lesions (in case the lesions are visible externally).
However, this deduction must be supported by a proper diagnostic test to confirm the presence of a herpes infection.
Provided below is a list of 3 types of tests used frequently to ascertain herpes infection.
Tzanck Test A small piece of the bump or lesion (taken from the patient's body while he is suffering from an outbreak) is used as a sample for this test, which is first stained and then examined under a microscope to detect the presence of any cells containing multiple nuclei.
In case any such cells are detected, then the test concludes that a herpes simplex virus infection is likely.
Although the test yields very quick results, it has certain drawbacks.
The drawback with this test is that that it cannot differentiate whether the infection is caused exclusively by herpes simplex virus only or by herpes zoster.
Also, the test cannot differentiate between the two types of virus -- HSV-1 (associated with oral herpes) and HSV-2 (associated with genital herpes).
Viral Culture This is a very reliable test.
However, the basic requirement of this test is that the herpes sores must be in the blister stage and be full of the infectious fluid.
This fluid is then taken as a sample and cultured in the diagnostic lab.
If the herpes simplex virus is present, it will grow in the culture medium and can be detected accurately.
The drawback of this test is that it takes almost 24 hours or more for the results to show up.
Blood Tests This test can be performed anytime, irrespective of whether the patient is suffering from a herpes outbreak or not.
The blood sample collected from the patient's body is analyzed for the presence of HSV antibodies.
It also helps in ascertaining the exact type of infection -- HSV-1 or HSV-2, and it is also a relatively quick diagnostic method.
This is the same even in the diagnosis of genital herpes.
The doctor can diagnose the disease through a simple visual examination of the bumps or lesions (in case the lesions are visible externally).
However, this deduction must be supported by a proper diagnostic test to confirm the presence of a herpes infection.
Provided below is a list of 3 types of tests used frequently to ascertain herpes infection.
Tzanck Test A small piece of the bump or lesion (taken from the patient's body while he is suffering from an outbreak) is used as a sample for this test, which is first stained and then examined under a microscope to detect the presence of any cells containing multiple nuclei.
In case any such cells are detected, then the test concludes that a herpes simplex virus infection is likely.
Although the test yields very quick results, it has certain drawbacks.
The drawback with this test is that that it cannot differentiate whether the infection is caused exclusively by herpes simplex virus only or by herpes zoster.
Also, the test cannot differentiate between the two types of virus -- HSV-1 (associated with oral herpes) and HSV-2 (associated with genital herpes).
Viral Culture This is a very reliable test.
However, the basic requirement of this test is that the herpes sores must be in the blister stage and be full of the infectious fluid.
This fluid is then taken as a sample and cultured in the diagnostic lab.
If the herpes simplex virus is present, it will grow in the culture medium and can be detected accurately.
The drawback of this test is that it takes almost 24 hours or more for the results to show up.
Blood Tests This test can be performed anytime, irrespective of whether the patient is suffering from a herpes outbreak or not.
The blood sample collected from the patient's body is analyzed for the presence of HSV antibodies.
It also helps in ascertaining the exact type of infection -- HSV-1 or HSV-2, and it is also a relatively quick diagnostic method.
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