Test based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
PCR is the test that involves replicating a person’s DNA from a blood or tissue sample from a herpes infection sore or spinal fluid sample. The technicians then analyze the DNA to detect the presence of HSV-1 or HSV-2 virus and determine which strain of HSV is causing the herpes outbreak. If a person is not experiencing symptoms of genital herpes, the PCR test can affirm the presence of HSV viruses even if there are no symptoms. In comparison to other diagnostic procedures, the diagnostic accuracy of PCR testing is favored by the majority of physicians. In some cases of genital herpes, cell culture or PCR assays may produce a false-negative result if the sores are beginning to heal or if there was a recent outbreak of genital herpes infection. A false-negative test result indicates that you do not possess the virus, despite the fact that you actually do. A false-positive result indicates that you are at risk for herpes infection, but the likelihood is extremely low, and you may require additional testing.
