Herpes Simplex Virus 1 IgG Test

The word ‘herpes' means to crawl or creep in Greek. This is how the Herpes Simplex Virus gets infected too. The virus crawls and sneaks into the cells of the body affecting the nerve pathways. Herpes simplex virus types 1 and two belong to the family of Herpesviridae. If this virus is present in the body, infection occurs from mild stomatitis to keratitis, genital tract infections, aseptic meningitis, chicken pox, and other fatal diseases. Herpes simplex virus test is also known by the name of HSV test. HSV tests are done to identify if there is a presence of the same in the body through samples from the blister, sore or fluid. It helps to diagnose acute herpes infected in the body. The HSV test is done under clinical findings and PCR (viral) culture at the laboratory testing. In case of unrecognized HSV infection, serologic testing for IgG-class antibodies is done.

There is not much of test preparation that is needed. All that a healthcare practitioner does is swabs or scraps from a blister or sore in the genital area. On suspect of meningitis or encephalitis, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected from the spinal column. To test antibody, blood samples are taken by inserting the needle in the vein of the arm. For this- The practitioner uses an alcohol pad to clean the skin area. Blood samples are taken from the rinsed skin area of the arm mostly. The collected blood in the nozzle is then saved in tiny bottles under the patient's name.

HSV testing is used to- Diagnose any active herpes infection with patients with genital sores'. Diagnose newborn babies of any suspected neonatal herpes. Helps to distinguish the primary, active infection and recurrent infection in people with HSV infected symptoms. Identifying any previous HSV infection in the body.

Direct detection of the virus is done for people with active genital sores. The HSV testing is done through herpes culture and HSV DNA testing Under herpes culture, the fluid sample is collected via swab from an open wound. This fluid is then inoculated into the cells that have the potential of the virus to grow. The test takes two or more days to complete. Under HSV DNA PCR testing, the sample is collected from the blister blood or other fluid (spinal fluid) of the patient's body. In case of unknown HSV type, HSV antibody testing is done. It helps in detecting the immune proteins that a human body can produce to combat herpes infection.