Genital herpes

Vesicles can be cultured but PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is more sensitive and accurate. Both of these procedures can determine if the infection is caused by herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2). A biopsy is rarely required. Always consider HIV testing in patients who present with any sexually transmitted disease.


Laboratory blood tests can determine if a patient has had herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2)

HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibody titers can be determined by blood tests and will determine if an individual has been infected with either virus. Patients who are HSV-2 positive by definition have genital herpes and are capable of shedding the virus asymptomatically and infecting others. Always include HSV-1 and HSV-2 tests for patients who request screening for sexually transmitted diseases.


HerpeSelect is a blood test to determine if a person has antibodies to herpes type 1 or herpes type 2. A positive antibody test demonstrates past infection with the virus.