Herpes blood test -IgG

Herpes HSV-2 IgG (HSV2G serum)
Herpes Simplex Infection IgG t type 2

As a post-test to see if it is a type 1 or 2 infection after the initial test.

Herpes infections are common in practice. In a large minority of cases, it
cases it concerns a first infection with one of the herpesviruses. After the initial infection (IGM), which is
called primo-infection, the virus remains in the body for life. The virus remains
present in nerve endings or ganglia. Due to virus infections, flu, menstruation, illness,
sunburn, stress, etc., the dormant viruses have the opportunity to multiply and spread through the nerve endings.
multiply and move through the nerve branches to the skin or mucous membranes to cause
characteristic abnormalities. These so-called reactivations are much more common than the
real (initial) infections.

In most cases, the abnormalities are very distinctive or typical, so the diagnosis is not too
difficult. However, there are also atypical manifestations of a reactivation or typical initial manifestations in an
unusual site.
An initial infection with one of the herpes viruses often proceeds, in the case of certain herpes viruses
without symptoms or signs. With other types of herpesviruses, it may
run violently. Reactivations are milder in some species and more severe in others than the
first infection.

This test detects the IgG antibodies of herpes simplex type 1 or type 2.
The IgG does rise if it is a systemic flare-up or neurological pathology.
In local manifestations (e.g. cold sores) the IgG does not rise.

HSV type 1 is found in:

• Herpes labialis (cold sores)
• in the eye (dendritic keratitis)
• in the mouth (gingivostomatitis)
• in skin lesions of the upper half of the body
• in neonatal herpes
• in meningoencephalitis.

HSV type 2 is found in:

• genital herpes
• for skin eruptions of the lower half of the body.

This rule is not absolute. For example, 20% of genital infections are caused by HSV type 1. These rarely recur in contrast to those caused by HSV type 2.

If you have an acute infection, it is better to turn to your family doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
This test only measures infections contracted more than 6 months ago.
If you want to know whether it is type 1 or 2, it is best to order Herpes type 2 IgG.

Pregnant? In certain cases it can be useful to have a blood test for antibodies against HSV. This will reliably show whether someone has been infected with HSV in the past and with which type(s). Such a test is useful, for example, if a pregnant woman has a partner who has recurrent genital herpes, but is not herself acquainted. In the absence of HSV antibodies, the pregnant woman runs a risk of being infected with HSV during pregnancy and advice should be given to reduce the risk of infection as much as possible. Then order the test: "Herpes blood test antibodies".

If HSV 1/2 IgG is negative, it is not useful to perform a breakdown into 1 and 2. This is only important if HSV 1/2 is measured positive. Then the breakdown can be determined to see if type 1 or type 2 is positive. This result may take 10 days to arrive because splitting type 1 and type 2 is a specialized test.