The test for herpes infection is a swab of a lesion. A person who has noticed lesions in their genital area should be tested by a swab. In modern pathology laboratories in Australia these swabs will be tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

How do doctors test for genital herpes?

Your doctor usually can diagnose genital herpes based on a physical exam and the results of certain laboratory tests: Viral culture. This test involves taking a tissue sample or scraping of the sores for examination in the laboratory. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Is herpes a blood test or urine test?

Tests for HSV are most often done only for sores in the genital area. The test may also be done using other types of samples, such as spinal fluid, blood, urine, or tears. To see whether sores are caused by HSV, different types of tests may be done.

Do doctors normally test for herpes?

If you have blisters or sores, your doctor or nurse will gently take a sample of fluid from the sores with a swab and test it. If you dont have any sores, talk with your doctor or nurse about whether a blood test for herpes makes sense for you. But herpes tests arent normally recommended unless you do have symptoms.

Does herpes come up in a blood test?

If you have the herpes virus and your body has produced antibodies, it can be detected on a blood test, even if you have no symptoms. The only time the virus might not be detected on a test (after youve contracted it) is if youve been tested too early.

What happens if genital herpes is left untreated?

If left untreated: Generally speaking, herpes causes more embarrassment than serious health concerns, Tosh says. But if youre suffering from herpes outbreaks and not treating them, they can continue or get worse. The bigger issue with not treating outbreaks is that you could pass the virus along to a partner.