Genital Herpes Testing

Genital Herpes




Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This virus causes recurrent, periodic outbreaks of sores in the genital region and remains in your body for life. However, there are anti-viral therapies available that can shorten the duration of symptoms. Some research studies suggest that the anti-viral medications may also help prevent transmission of the disease.

Some sexually transmitted diseases will cause symptoms that should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately. However, others may be "silent" - a person could have the disease but might not notice any symptoms of the infection. Therefore, it is important to be tested for STDs if you are sexually active.
The herpes simplex virus can be passed from person to person through skin contact while the sores are open and healing, and sometimes asymptomatically when there are no visible sores. Of the major classes of Herpes viruses, Herpes Type 1 (HSV-1) is known for causing cold sores; Herpes Type 2 (HSV-2) causes genital herpes, and Herpes Zoster causes chickenpox and shingles. HSV-2 is frequently a sexually transmitted disease but HSV-1 also may be acquired during oral sex and found in the genital area. Therefore it generally best to test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 when concerned about STDs. LabSafe offers the Herpes Select blood tests, which are more sensitive and specific than older tests. These tests are the ones that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Many people who have herpes don’t know it because they never have symptoms or don’t recognize the symptoms they do have. When you are first infected, you may have obvious and painful lesions at the site of infection. These lesions appear within two weeks after the virus is transmitted and usually heal within two to four weeks. The vesicles can appear in the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anus, or on the buttocks or thighs. This primary episode can include a second outbreak of lesions and even flu-like symptoms of fever and swollen glands. However, you may not have any lesions or have symptoms that are so mild that you don’t notice them or mistake them for something else, such as insect bites or a rash.

Once someone is infected and the initial infection resolves, they will harbor the HSV in a latent form. During periods of stress or illness, the virus may reactivate. In most cases, HSV outbreaks are a painful annoyance rather than a health threat, but the virus can also cause neonatal herpes (an infant is infected by the mother during birth) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). These illnesses can be fatal and can cause serious permanent neurological problems in those who survive. Patients with conditions that cause their immune system to be suppressed, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those who have had an organ transplant, may have more frequent and serious outbreaks of HSV.

According to the American Social Health Association and their National Herpes Resource Center, about 50% to 80% of adults in the U.S. have HSV-1 and about 20% have HSV-2 (that is 1 in every 5 adults). Because symptoms may be mild, 90% of those who have HSV-2 may be unaware that they have been infected.

To purchase a Herpes Type I/II test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/429/or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.