Herpes Blood test

Recently me and my husband have had repeated blood test for herpes. Dr. Rock states that they are not helpful and I'd like to know why? My blood test came back positive and I have only had one test. My husband has had 3 blood test done and only one has come back positive. I have had a small sore show repeatedly on my labia and it has been inspected by two different GYN's and they also did blood test at that time they both stated I did not have Herpes. I am really confuse and would like to know how to figure out if we have Herpes or not.


This discussion is related to 'boil' on scrotum, testicular pain, etc. = Herpes?.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I am glad that you have posted your question here and we will try and answer it.

Herpes is caused by a DNA virus; it may present in different forms based on the type of virus and location of the lesion.

Genital Herpes is caused by HSV-2 leading to the development of vesicles and blisters which are normally painful. Diagnosis is based on either of : the use of culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. These are all expensive yet highly sensitive and specific tests. Serological tests may also be undertaken. They are not as reliable.

Since here the tests themselves are being questioned because of variability, I would like to know the kind of test you have gone through. We can then compare the sensitivity and specificty of that particular test for Herpes.

Hope this helped. let me know your thoughts

You may read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes#Genital_infection