Herpes blood tests have a sensitivity level of about 80-98%. This type of test detects antibodies to the herpes virus, so it may not be as accurate when performed soon after infection. In general, false positives are a concern with herpes testing, so it’s not recommended unless you have symptoms or have a high risk for infection. Show
Blood Test BasicsHerpes blood tests, also known as herpes serologic tests, are available for both types of the virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Type-specific glycoprotein G-based serologic tests are designed to detect whether there are any antibodies to the herpes virus in the blood. Blood tests have a sensitivity of about 80-98% for HSV-2. Test ResultsIf antibodies for HSV-2 are present, it’s a genital infection. HSV-1 is very common in the population and antibodies for this type of herpes typically indicate an oral infection. However, there’s a small chance of getting an HSV-1 genital infection and the test cannot distinguish where the infection is located. Get Tested for STIs At Home Nurx offers at home test kits for common STIs for as little as $75 with insurance or $150 per month without insurance. False negatives are not common with this type of test, but there’s still a chance that a negative result for HSV-1 or HSV-2 may not be accurate depending on the timing of your exposure. Since it takes the body some time to develop antibodies to the virus, the results may be negative if you are tested soon after becoming infected. False PositivesFalse positives are a concern with herpes blood tests. A false positive result is possible with any diagnostic test, but researchers worry that the outcome of a false positive for herpes may be particularly damaging since it is a lifelong infection. Due to the concern over false positives, these blood tests are only recommended for people with herpes symptoms and those who have a higher risk for infection, such as people who have a partner with genital herpes. Herpes serology; HSV blood test Serum herpes simplex antibodies is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the herpes simplex virus (HSV), including HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 most often causes cold sores (oral herpes). HSV-2 causes genital herpes.
 During a herpes biopsy, a needle is inserted into a vein and blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. The sample is taken to the laboratory and evaluated for the presence and quantity of antibodies. This test is done to detect if a person has been infected with the herpes simplex virus (I or II). This test does not detect the virus itself. If antibodies to the virus are present, the person has been infected with herpes simplex at some point in his or her life. If the infection is very recent, a few weeks to a month, antibodies may not be detected, but a person may still be infected. How the Test is PerformedA blood sample is needed. The sample is taken to the lab and tested for the presence and amount of antibodies. How to Prepare for the TestNo special steps are needed to prepare for this test. How the Test will FeelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel a little pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the Test is PerformedThe test is done to find out whether a person has ever been infected with oral or genital herpes. It looks for antibodies to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). An antibody is a substance made by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances such as the herpes virus. This test does not detect the virus itself. Normal ResultsA negative (normal) test most often means you have not been infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. If the infection occurred very recently (within a few weeks to 3 months), the test may be negative, but you may still be infected. This is called a false negative. It can take up to 3 months after a possible herpes exposure for this test to be positive. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results MeanA positive test means you have been infected with HSV recently or at some point in the past. Tests can be done to help determine if you have a recent infection. About 70% of adults have been infected by HSV-1 and have antibodies against the virus. About 20% to 50% of adults will have antibodies against the HSV-2 virus, which causes genital herpes. HSV stays in your system once you have been infected. It may be "asleep" (dormant), and cause no symptoms, or it may flare up and cause symptoms. This test cannot tell whether you are having a flare-up. RisksRisks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
ConsiderationsEven when you do not have sores, you can pass (shed) the virus to someone during sexual or other close contact. To protect others:
ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm. Updated July 22, 2021. Accessed August 31, 2021. Khan R. Women. In: Glynn M, Drake WM, eds. Hutchison's Clinical Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 5. Schiffer JT, Corey L. Herpes simplex virus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 135. Whitley RJ, Gnann JW. Herpes simplex virus infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 350. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 7/13/2021 Reviewed by: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. How accurate is PCR test herpes?PCR assays or other NAATs are the most sensitive test currently available to detect HSV in clinical samples. The detection rates of the PCR assays were shown to be 11–71% superior to virus culture [26,41-44].
Can a PCR test be wrong herpes?False positive test results show that a person has an infection or condition when they do not. This can happen with many kinds of diagnostic tests. However, the chance of a false positive herpes test result is much higher than when testing for STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Can herpes results be false?Herpes viral culture.
If no virus infects the cells, the culture is negative. If the herpes virus infects the cells, the culture is positive. The culture often fails to find the virus even when it is present ( false-negative results ).
What are the chances of being misdiagnosed with herpes?Turns out herpes is misdiagnosed 20% of the time, with professionals mistaking everything from fungal and yeast infections to other skin conditions for the STD.
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Can a pcr herpes test be wrong
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