Determining the Level of Accuracy of the Herpes Blood Test
What’s the need for the herpes blood test? Herpes is one of the typical yet highly contagious diseases in the world. Millions of men and women are suffering from it. Knowing that you have the virus will allow you to effectively manage the illness, especially the sore outbreaks.
When do you need to take the blood test?
A lot of people would take the test only when they develop the symptoms, which are very pronounced. The virus can trigger the development of sores in different parts of the body, especially in the genital area, mouth, lips and throat. These areas are the prime spots for two distinct types of herpes viruses: type 1 and type 2. The former is more commonly known as the oral herpes, the latter genital herpes.
However, it’s not all the time that you develop these symptoms or signs. In fact, thousands will never know they have the virus until they get themselves tested. This is because herpes can remain dormant for days or even years as long as you have a very strong defense system.
Just to be safe, though, make the blood testing more regular, particularly if you’re sexually active.
How much does it cost?
In general, it will cost you around a hundred dollars to have yourself tested. Normally, you will be given a kit, where you are going to take a sample of your blood and then send it to the laboratory. Nevertheless, it’s best to take the examination when you have a physician around. It will definitely cost you more since you have to spend on lab and professional fees, but it’s a more worthy investment.
How does it happen?
As mentioned, to test yourself of the virus, you will be asked of a blood sample. What they’re looking for is not the virus itself but the antibodies against herpes. Their presence may mean that you have the virus in your system. Depending on where you have your blood testing, the results may be achieved within minutes to weeks.
What’s the herpes blood test accuracy?
This is where the controversy over herpes blood test comes in. Those who took the exam are not completely aware that an ordinary herpes blood examination doesn’t produce very accurate results. It will not be able to tell you what type of herpes virus you have in the body.
There are also possibilities when the results are inaccurate. For example, you can have a false positive or negative result. With the latter, it means the result says you have the virus when the truth is you don’t. On the other hand, a false negative means the result says you don’t, but the virus is actually lingering in the body.
Some also fall with the majority of home kits in the market. Seldom do they produce very accurate results.
How to Test for Genital Herpes
If you want to go on with the genital herpes testing, make sure that you wait until 12 to 16 weeks after possible infection. This will give your body enough time to produce the antibodies, which will provide the most accurate results. Also opt for a herpes-specific type of test, which is offered by quite a number of labs these days. Moreover, to further strengthen the results of the test, submit other fluid samples such as urine.