Tests to Diagnose Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a common STD; however, many people who have this sexually transmitted disease don't know they have it. Genital herpes frequently has no symptoms, so you can be infected and contagious without knowing it. When symptoms do occur, they can easily be mistaken for something else. Without adequate testing, you risk infecting a sex partner and not getting medications that can help reduce the severity of your symptoms and accelerate healing.

You may have a sore on your genitals, buttocks, thighs or anus, and if so, your health care provider can perform tests to see if they are caused by the herpes virus.

Genital Herpes Tests

Tests used to diagnose or screen for genital herpes include:

• PCR test: The PCR test can tell if you have genital herpes even if you don't have symptoms. The PCR test looks for pieces of the virus's DNA in a sample taken from cells or fluids from a genital sore or the urinary tract. This is a commonly used test to diagnose genital herpes and is very accurate.
• Cell culture: During the exam, your health care provider can take a sample of cells from a sore and look for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) under a microscope.