Hsv what does mean

Read more on how to treat it. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Serum Herpes Simplex Antibodies Test. Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. Purpose Procedure Risks Results What is a serum herpes simplex antibodies test? Why is a serum herpes simplex antibodies test performed? What can I expect during a serum herpes simplex antibodies test?

What are the risks of a serum herpes simplex antibodies test? What do my test results mean? Genital Herpes. Herpes Viral Culture of Lesion. Herpes Incubation Period. Read this next. Herpes Simplex. Medically reviewed by Fernando Mariz, MD. Available Herpes Medications There is no cure for herpes simplex viral infection. Postherpetic Neuralgia. Herpes can also be dangerous to a newborn baby. A mother with herpes can pass the infection to her baby during delivery. A herpes infection can be life threatening to a baby.

An HSV test looks for the presence of the virus in your body. While there is no cure for herpes, there are medicines that can help manage the condition. But you may need an HSV test if:. You may need a test if you have certain risk factors for STDs. You may be at higher risk if you:. In rare cases, HSV can cause encephalitis or meningitis , life-threatening infections of the brain and spinal cord.

You may need an HSV test if you have symptoms of a brain or spinal cord disorder. These include:. HSV testing is usually done as a swab test, blood test, or lumbar puncture. The type of test you get will depend on your symptoms and health history.

You don't need any special preparations for a swab test or a blood test. For a lumbar puncture, you may be asked to empty your bladder and bowels before the test. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. If you had a lumbar puncture, you may have pain or tenderness in your back where the needle was inserted.

You may also get a headache after the procedure. Your HSV test results will be given as negative, also called normal, or positive, also called abnormal. The herpes virus was not found. You may still have an HSV infection if your results were normal. It may mean the sample didn't have enough of the virus to be detected. If you still have symptoms of herpes, you may need to get tested again.

HSV was found in your sample. It may mean you have an active infection you currently have sores , or were infected in the past you have no sores. If you tested positive for HSV, talk to your health care provider. While there is no cure for herpes, it hardly ever causes serious health problems.

Some people may only have one outbreak of sores their whole lives, while others break out more often. The time required for the development of IgG antibodies following HSV infection varies from 21 to over 42 days with most individuals having detectable IgG 21—28 days after exposure to the infection and probably lasting for life. Individuals with newer infections are more likely to test positive for both herpes IgG and IgM. They might also be positive for herpes IgM alone.

The body can make several kinds of antibodies to fight infections. The two types that herpes blood tests look for are IgG and IgM. Herpes IgM antibodies usually are detectable by herpes blood tests within days after initial infection.