What it measures
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) mainly causes genital herpes. A blood test looks for antibodies to it, which show an infection at some point, while a swab test looks for the virus itself in a blister or sore.
Why people test it
- Checked by people who want to know whether they carry the virus, as many people with it have no symptoms.
- Part of wider sexual health screens, or tested after a partner is diagnosed with herpes.
- A swab is tested when blisters or sores appear, to confirm which virus is present.
Typical range
Reported as positive or negative (detected or not detected), and an antibody test can also come back equivocal. Methods and cut-offs vary between labs, and your report shows how the lab reads the result.
Finger-prick or vein?
The antibody test uses blood, from a vein or, with some kits, a finger-prick. A swab test needs a visible blister or sore to sample, and some panels test urine instead.
An antibody test cannot show where on the body the infection is, or how long someone has had it.