#Western blot test for herpes professional

There are many herpes testing options but you are unlikely to have a false positive herpes test if you undergo one of the latest type-specific serological tests. Visit a physician and ask for a type-specific blood test for herpes of the genital area. You have a low index positive (less than 3.0).Your Likelihood of a False Positive Increases if: Take a look at this story of a grey area, possibly false positive at the Women’s Health Magazine Website, or our article on false positives. An index value above 1.1 is considered to be “positive.” An index value above 1.1 but under 3.0 is considered to be a “low positive”, in which case you may have reason to want a second confirmation of your diagnosis.Īdditionally, if you already had HSV-1 at the time of testing, your serological test may wrongly show HSV-2 antibodies. The duration between contracting the herpes virus and undergoing the herpes simplex test can impact the test results. In fact, false positives are one of the reasons HSV-2 testing is not recommended by the CDC without the presence of symptoms. Mistakes of this kind are rare, but do happen. There’s another possibility: Perhaps you tested positive for herpes, but the test result was wrong. However, the Western Blot is considered to be the only 100% accurate herpes test out there, but the University of Washington is the only place that administers it. This test isolates the genetic material of the virus, otherwise known as its DNA, and it can differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2. However, if your practitioner thinks you may have received a false positive from other tests, a PCR test may be administered. The test is designed to isolate antigens on the surface of the infected cells.Ī polymerase PCR test is one of the most accurate tests available for genital herpes, but may only be recommended if your doctor suspects the infection has spread to your brain or spinal fluid. If your doctor recommends an antigen detection test, samples are collected from fresh sores and placed on a microscope slide. False negatives and false positives both sometimes happen. You can get a number to quantify your herpes antibody count, which may have clues as to how long you have had the virus, but nothing definite. Antibody tests cannot tell you how long you’ve have the virus. Although not always as accurate as a viral culture, a blood test may be ordered in conjunction with other tests. With this test, fluid or cells are collected from a fresh sore and examined to determine whether the herpes virus is present.īlood tests can find antibodies that are manufactured by your immune system to combat herpes. One test your practitioner may order to confirm your diagnosis is a viral culture.

#Western blot test for herpes professional

There are several tests a medical professional may recommend, such as virus cultures or PCR tests: A physical exam was once universally accepted as an appropriate way to make a definitive diagnosis, but experts now agree that even “classic” genital herpes should be confirmed with lab tests. Most experts agree that attempting to diagnose herpes based on a physical examination and history alone is inadequate. However, in certain cases, they begin as tiny, soft red or pink spots that are similar in appearance to genital herpes sores. And unlike genital herpes sores, they are usually flesh colored. They come from the Human Papilloma Virus – HPV. Genital warts are cauliflower-like growths that can manifest in various shapes and sizes. Impetigo is frequently misdiagnosed as herpes and should always be ruled out before a genital herpes diagnosis is made. It can occur in men, women and even children, and often produces crusty blisters that have a very similar appearance to genital herpes sores. Impetigo is a bacterial disease that is highly infectious. Nevertheless, they sometimes fool medical practitioners, resulting in a herpes misdiagnosis. The main difference between the two, however, is that syphilis chancres do not typically develop in clusters, but rather occur as single sores. These blisters can be easily mistaken for the cold sores associated with herpes. This is because one of the symptoms of syphilis is something called chancres. Avoid the awkward “talk” and Sign up free!Īlthough it may come as a surprise, syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection sometimes misdiagnosed as herpes. ► Positive Singles is a secure community to meet others with HSV! Dating profiles, blogs and support. ► Herpesyl is the only 100% natural blend that targets the real cause of outbreaks, and weakens and destroys the herpes virus through a 26-plant extract.