For people suffering from genital herpes, it is important to have accurate testing. Wrongful diagnosis can lead to serious psychological trauma. People can suffer their way through life if they are wrongfully diagnosed by their doctors. Diagnosis of symptoms alone is not enough because several symptoms of herpes are common among diseases like the common flu. If you think you are suffering from genital herpes, and you have visible sores in your genitals, it is best to ask your doctor to take a sample from the sore and test it for herpes simplex virus. The most common test used to see if one really has herpes, is through cell culture. A sample will be taken from a sore and checked under a microscope. A direct fluorescent antibody test can also be used. In this procedure, a sample is first taken from a sore, and then it is mixed in a solution with herpes simplex virus antibodies and a fluorescent dye. If there is a virus in the sample, the antibodies will stick to it and the fluorescent dye will glow when viewed under a specialized microscope. These 2 tests can specify the type of herpes virus that is found. A person that is infected with the type 2 virus will have more recurrent outbreaks than a person who suffers from a type 1 virus. Unfortunately, these tests have the possibility of giving false-negative results once the sores have started to heal.

There are also blood tests to detect herpes simplex virus antibodies even if an infected person does not show any symptoms. Since antibodies may take a while to form (several weeks), it is still possible for blood tests to show false-negative results if you have only been recently infected. The Tzanck and PCR test are also ways of detecting the herpes viruses. A Tzanck test may not be very accurate. The PCR test will detect herpes virus DNA. It is accurate but not a preferred method of testing.

Other tests to determine the presence of the herpes simplex virus are being researched. There are now new tests that can detect the virus through saliva and urine samples. But these tests have not been made public as of yet. Before going in for a check-up, read up on more information about herpes and its symptoms; it is best to always be prepared. Once diagnosed, there will be many life-altering decisions that you have to make like the type of medication you should take and changes in your lifestyle.