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Identifying genital herpes can be done by visual check or by laboratory testing. If you believe that you may have genital herpes infection you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor is the only person who can provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for your genital herpes symptoms. If identifying genital herpes by visual inspection is difficult and your doctor thinks that you need to be tested for HSV infection, you can either use a swab for direct detection of virus or a serology (blood) test.

Identifying genital herpes types are also important. The herpes simplex virus that is responsible for the genital herpes have 2 types; HSV-1 and HSV-2. Virus culture is the most widely used direct detection test to distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. Either virus could result to genital herpes. You have to understand how HSV-1 tends to recur less frequently than HSV-2, and that if your test result were positive, you can find out which virus subtype is causing your symptoms which is important in administering proper medication and treatment.

Identifying genital herpes is important tot hat fact that genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is often undiagnosed because of its wide range of symptoms. There are about 60 percent of infected people unrecognized or can easily be mistaken for other conditions. There is most likely the case of asymptomatic symptoms, where there are no visible sores as symptoms of infection. Accurate diagnostic testing is needed to help you decide on a particular treatment suitable for your particular condition.

The best way in identifying genital herpes is during the presence of lesions. The early days of lesions are very accurate in tests because they are most sensitive than the older lesions. Visit your doctor for testing as soon as you experience the first symptoms of an outbreak, usually in about 2-7 days. There are certain limitations in identifying genital herpes through testing. Virus detection tests are not suitable after lesions have scabbed and healed. Serology or blood tests for herpes simplex virus can only tell you whether you have been infected with virus at some time in your life. It does not indicate the site of your infection nor prove that any genital discomfort or lesions you are currently experiencing are due to HSV infection. Some tests only detect HSV-2 but modern blood tests can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies.

More recent test in identifying genital herpes used in research laboratories are type-specific. Virus culture is the most widely used direct detection test and can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. Once you get your result, do not get embarrassed. You are not the only person in this world to be infected. Your doctor is an expert in this matter and the person best equipped to help you manage genital herpes. Treatments are available as well as help and support from other groups.