Herpes Test in Pune

What is the Herpes Blood Test?

The Herpes test is a blood test that detects antibodies related to the Herpes Viruses.

When someone is infected with Herpes, the body fights against the virus by creating antibodies. This test detects these antibodies, and is thus called an 'indirect' test.

What is Herpes (HSV) and its types?

HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) is a DNA virus that causes sores in the genital area, mouth and skin. It spreads by sexual contact, kissing, oral sex or from moist surfaces infected with body fluids. The infection, is often self limited, but can recur throughout life.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are two subtypes of herpes. HSV-1 can cause infection of mouth, skin and genitals. HSV-2 usually only causes infections in the genital area and is most commonly the one that causes the STD's

Who should do this test?

This test should be done by people with multiple partners, those engaging in unprotected intercourse.

When to do this test?

This test is meant for early detection of HIV infection. This test is ideal for the following situations:

• Rash & Sores: You have rashes, or painful sores on your private parts, around rectum, or on the lips and inside the mouth
• History of Unprotected intimate contact with known case: You have had intimate contact with a known patient of herpes
• HIV Positive Patients: Patients with HIV should get tested for herpes as the infection is common in them.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant mothers with a history of herpes should get screened by means of this test, as it can be passed to the newborn.

How is the test done?

This is a simple blood test and requires no special preparation. You do not need to be fasting for this test.

To perform this test, a sample of blood will be drawn from your vein, by inserting a sterile needle. The blood sample will then be analyzed in the lab.

What will be included in the report?

The report includes results of 4 tests, as listed below :

• HSV-1 IgM Antibodies : Detectable 15 days after infection, upto 6 weeks
• HSV-1 IgG Antibodies : Detectable 3 weeks after infection, may persist for life
• HSV-2 IgM Antibodies : Detectable 15 days after infection, upto 6 weeks
• HSV-2 IgG Antibodies : Detectable 3 weeks after infection, may persist for life

What does the report mean?

If IgG antibodies are positive - it indicates a past infection. If IgM antibodies are positive - it may indicate a very recent infection.

What is the normal range for this test?

The following table shows the normal ranges for the 4 tests :

Test Name	Range	Meaning
HSV-1 IGM	<0.8 Index	Negative
HSV-1 IGG	<0.8 Index	Negative
HSV-2 IGM	<1.0 S/CO	Negative
HSV-2 IGG	<5.0 arbU/ml	Negative

Summary

Sample Type	Blood
Time to Get Report	Upto 1 week
Test Method	ELISA/CMIA
Normal Range	HSV-1 IgM - Negative(<0.8), HSV-1 IgG - Negative(<0.8), HSV-2 IgM - Negative (<1.0), HSV-2 IgG - Negative (<5.0)
Purpose of test	Screens for Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2 Viruses
Intended for	All genders, all ages
Fasting Required	No
Total Tests	4
Doctor's Prescription Required	No
Reports Available By	PDF available through Watsapp,Email and Hardcopy(on request)
Other Names	HSV-1 Serology, HSV-2 Serology HSV-1 Antibodies, HSV-2 Antibodies, Herpes Serology