[Question #9464] Hsv
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32 months ago
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I was wondering whether a pcr plasma test could detect latent Hsv? If a person has a positive igg hsv test but a negative hsv pcr blood test does that mean that the person had a past infection and not a current one? Does this work like a hcv pcr test?
Also i’v read that genital hsv 1 does not need to be disclosed if there are no symptoms as it can be rarely transmitted from genital to genital contact. But what about genital to oral contact? Why are your thoughts about this please?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
32 months ago
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PCR testing from blood should never be done for a herpes diagnosis except in very special situations, such as a baby having a disseminated infection. PCR should be used only as a swab test from a concerning lesion. Herpes is not in the blood of normal people, it is in the nerves and skin. Doing an HSV PCR test from blood is an error.
Genital HSV 1 is rarely shed and very rarely transmitted during intercourse. However, it is shed more often during the first several months of being infected so disclosure during that time period should be considered. The risk really isn't any different for receiving oral sex or having intercourse in terms of transmission, we don't believe. The "governing" factor here is the very low shedding rate of HSV 1 genital infection.
Terri
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