HSV PCR

[wondering163]

I recently started dating a guy who was diagnosed a few months earlier with VZV.  He went to his doctor with sores located on one side of his mouth and pain on one side of his back and leg.  The doctor gave him a PCR DNA blood test for HSV 1/2.  The results came back negative, and thus the doctor said it was more than likely VZV.  There were no cultures preformed or antibody tests done.  Is this an accurate method of determining HSV infection?  I always thought that a HSV blood test can only detect antibodies.  
Could he have been give the wrong test and I be at risk for HSV?
Thanks!

[Dumbfounded284]

Hi,
From what I have read, the PCR is one of the best, most accurate tests available for HSV.  

[gracefromHHP]

Did your bf have a pcr blood test or a pcr lesion culture done on active symptoms?

grace

[gracefromHHP]

rereading your post again I see it appears it was a pcr blood test. This was a completely useless way to test for herpes and I"m assuming your bf's provider doesn't understand herpes testing quite yet :(  Pcr looks for actual virus. Since herpes is not a blood borne virus, using pcr to test for herpes as a screening tool is not worthwhile.  On adults , pcr can only be used as a lesion culture, not as a blood test.  Your bf will need to repeat his blood test with a type specific herpes igg blood test.

grace