Diagnosing Herpes

What a sore looks like

A herpes sore may first look like a small white blister. The fluid inside the blister is filled with the herpes virus. At this stage, the virus sheds easily. This means it can be passed to other people.

A soft wet sore may form in place of the blister. The herpes virus is in the fluid of the open sore. So the virus can still be spread to others.

A soft crust forms as a new layer of skin grows. Fewer copies of the virus are present in the sore. The virus can still be passed to others.

The skin surface is normal. But the virus stays in the body. Shedding is less likely. But it can still occur.

Testing for herpes

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have herpes, you may need tests done. Tests like these can confirm the diagnosis:

• Viral culture. A small amount of fluid is swabbed from the base of a blister. The fluid is grown in a special culture with healthy cells. If herpes is present, it will change how the cells look.

• Fluorescent antibody test. Cells are taken from the base of a blister. They are stained and checked under a microscope. If herpes is present, the cells will change color.

• Molecular amplification. A sample of fluid that may have herpes virus is mixed with chemicals. These chemicals let pieces of the virus multiply very fast. These viral pieces can be found very quickly.

• Other tests. If you don't have sores, tests can be done on blood or cell samples. These tests may show if you carry the herpes virus. But they are the least accurate of all the tests.