Exams and Tests

Many doctors will begin treatment based only on the appearance of the sores, if the sores seem typical of herpes. Doctors may also take a swab of the sore and send the swab to the laboratory to see if the virus is present. A number of types of tests may be ordered to establish the diagnosis, including:

• a culture of the virus;
  
  
• polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate the genetic material of the virus; and
  
  
• using antibodies to the genital herpes virus to demonstrate the presence of the virus in clinical specimens.

These types of tests generally require at least a few days. In some cases, blood tests to confirm the presence of an immune response to the herpes virus may be ordered.