PCR swabs

[Sillybilly7]

Hi,
Just wanting to know how sensitive PCR swabs are? I have heard they are highly sensitive, so does this include being able to pick up dead DNA that may be in an area? Hopefully my question makes sense.

[Life360_Dave]

I will say this that most of those that have it in both areas contracted it at the same time.

[Sillybilly7]

Hi,
Thank you for that.
I have had cold sores since I was a child, so I definitely have oral hsv1. I would have regular oral outbreaks.
I have had blood tests previously where hsv1 was present, from my oral outbreaks.

All very strange as I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones to contract hsv1 genitally after having it orally for so long.
Thanks

[Life360_Dave]

Hi,
1. a positive swab is conclusive and if taken in your genital area it is genital hsv1. your correct that if you have hsv1 oral you would be pretty much immune to contracting it genital so you can safely assume that you dont have oral hsv1.
2. Hsv1 can be mild but as a general rule, following a recent exposure you would have flu like sympotms after so you may have had this for some time.
A blood test would confirm this. If your blood test comes back negative then its recent, if your blood test comes back positive then its old.
3. again long time herpes could be quite mild in symptoms.
4. The only way the swab could be wrong is a lab mix up.
5. Since the pcr is not checking for growth of the virus 2 days is fine as is checking for DNA so no growth is required.

[Sillybilly7]

Thank you.

So here is my story in a nutshell, I'm hoping you can offer some advice or clarity.

It would be about 3.5-4 weeks ago when my boyfriend performed oral sex on me, we didn't realise until a week later he had a coldsore hidden in his beard. I had not noticed any symptoms genitally up until last Sunday (over 3 weeks post oral sex), there was a slight itch and two little nicks on the right side of my perenium.

I got them swabbed on Monday and returned results yesterday (Wednesday) PCR swab positive for hsv1 dna.

My questions are -
1. I have had oral cold sores since I was a child, would this offer me immunity from getting hsv1 genitally? The dr that took the swabs at the sexual health clinic said the nicks were more inline with thrush and that I would have immunity from hsv1 genitally given my coldsore history.

2. If this was an initial outbreak, would symptoms have presented so late in the piece and would they be more severe? And would I have had more symptoms? I had a thrush/hemmorhoid (I suffer from hemmorhoids) very mild itch. No other symptoms.

3. The nicks in my skin presented after I had played around with the area and I have continued to touch them throughout their presence. They haven't gotten any worse and were only a bit itchy for the first two days, never sore. Doesn't sting or burn to urinate or wipe the area. They haven't crusted over or scabbed either.Do herpes present like this?

4.How accurate are PCR swabs? Meaning can they pick up dead DNA for example to give a reading of DNA being present? I'm not sure if that question makes sense. I have read these tested can't distinguish between live or dead DNA. Could they have picked up dead DNA from the area through my constant touching of the area? Ie, me having touched my lips/face where my oral virus is and then transferred it to my genitals?

5.How long do those cultures usually take to grow? The clinic told me 7 days so I was surprised when they had been done in 2.

Thanks.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, yes they are very accurate in confirming a positive but not so much a negative as can miss the virus. When taking this test its best within 48 hours after a sore appears. If there is no sores then theres nothing to find.