Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV Types 1 & 2

A common STI caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.

Detect IgG antibodies specific to HSV types 1 and/or 2 infection to confirm or rule out possible infection.

Per CDC guidelines, specimens with equivocal (aka 'indeterminate') or low-positive results for HSV-2 type-specific IgG will automatically be processed for confirmation testing by another method. This can add 2-4 weeks to report the result.

In a patient with no history of lesion disease, a positive result for this test may be indicative that the primary infection was asymptomatic. Once infected by HSV, it is possible for a patient to shed virus without the development of lesions (asymptomatic shedding). This test does not indicate the site of HSV infection. The magnitude of the Index Value is not indicative of the amount of antibody present in the patient sample. There is considerable similarity between HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens, so antibodies formed against either virus are highly cross-reactive (ie, gives SOME possibility of showing positive for HSV 1 when indeed it is HSV 2, or vice-versa). If a lesion forms, it is best to have that sampled with your medical provider.

TEST PREPARATION: None.

[LC 164922]