What does hsv 2 mean

They may also transmit the virus to others. You may also experience symptoms that are similar to the flu. These symptoms can include:. HSV can also spread to the eyes, causing a condition called herpes keratitis. This can cause symptoms such as eye pain , discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye. This type of virus is generally diagnosed with a physical exam. Your doctor may check your body for sores and ask you about some of your symptoms.

Your doctor may also request HSV testing. This is known as a herpes culture. It will confirm the diagnosis if you have sores on your genitals. During this test, your doctor will take a swab sample of fluid from the sore and then send it to a laboratory for testing. This is especially helpful when there are no sores present. Alternatively, at-home testing for Herpes Simplex is available. You can buy a test kit online from LetsGetChecked here.

Compare more top at-home herpes tests. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

There is currently no cure for this virus. If symptoms do happen, they can include soreness, as well as pain or burning at the site of the infection. This often happens before the outbreak of sores. You may also have headache, fever, body aches, or pain. If you have an active herpes infection, you may also need a physical exam so your healthcare provider can visually inspect the sores. Your provider may collect a sample from the sores to culture in a lab.

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem.

Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. If your test result is positive, it can mean that you have an active herpes infection without symptoms. It can also mean that you had an HSV infection in the past. The best way to prevent genital herpes or another STD is to not have sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by. If you've been diagnosed with genital herpes, condom use can reduce your risk of spreading the infection to others.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Herpes HSV Test. What is a herpes HSV test? There are two main types of HSV: HSV-1, which usually causes blisters or cold sores around the mouth oral herpes HSV-2, which usually causes blisters or sores in the genital area genital herpes Herpes is spread through direct contact with sores.

What is it used for? Why do I need an HSV test? But you may need an HSV test if: You have symptoms of herpes, such as blisters or sores on the genitals or other part of the body Your sex partner has herpes You are pregnant and you or your partner has had a previous herpes infection or symptoms of genital herpes. If you test positive for HSV, your baby may need testing as well. What happens during an HSV test?

For a swab test, a health care provider will use a swab to collect fluid and cells from a herpes sore. For a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.

After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, is only done if your provider thinks you may have an infection of the brain or spinal cord.

During a spinal tap: You will lie on your side or sit on an exam table. A health care provider will clean your back and inject an anesthetic into your skin, so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Your provider may put a numbing cream on your back before this injection. Daily suppressive therapy i. Be sure to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. Since a genital herpes diagnosis may affect how you will feel about current or future sexual relationships, it is important to understand how to talk to sexual partners about STDs external icon.

Herpes infection can cause sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the mouth, vagina, and rectum. This provides a way for HIV to enter the body. Even without visible sores, having genital herpes increases the number of CD4 cells the cells that HIV targets for entry into the body found in the lining of the genitals. Box Rockville, MD E-mail: npin-info cdc. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Genital Herpes. Section Navigation.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease STD that any sexually active person can get. Even without signs of the disease, herpes can still be spread to sex partners. Basic Fact Sheet Detailed Version Basic fact sheets are presented in plain language for individuals with general questions about sexually transmitted diseases. STDs Home Page.

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