The herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibodies test is a type of herpes simplex test that determines whether or not you&#;ve ever been exposed to this virus. Specifically, it&#;s a blood test that looks for certain antibodies in your body.
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Antibodies are proteins that are made by your immune system to fight off particular pathogens &#; usually bacteria and viruses. This test looks to see if you have antibodies against either HSV-1 or HSV-2 &#; the two kinds of herpes viruses.
Your body begins to make two relevant types of HSV-1 antibody or HSV-2 antibody around 18 to 21 days after you&#;re first infected. These two types of antibodies are called IgG and IgM antibodies.
IgG antibodies are the most common kind and IgM antibodies are the first kind that your body makes when you first come into contact with a virus or bacteria. Both can be found in your blood and other bodily fluids.
The best versions of this test can tell the difference between previous exposure to either HSV-1 or HSV-2.
An IgG blood test is used to diagnose herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. This test does not detect the virus. Rather, it detects the IgG antibodies, or immune proteins, that your body produces in response to the viral infection.
Parts of the IgG protein, like all antibodies, are made by the immune system to attack specific disease-causing organisms (pathogens), like viruses and bacteria. HSV IgG is the type of antibody that is produced when a herpes infection occurs. A positive test means you were infected with HSV recently or in the past.
This article discusses the IgG blood test and how it can determine if you have herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Purpose of an HSV IgG Test
An HSV IgG test is typically used to confirm a genital herpes infection. It is not recommended as a general screening test for everyone. But it is recommended for pregnant women who are at risk of having genital herpes. Treatment can reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.
It can be performed alongside:
Both of these tests are done using a sample of fluid taken from an open sore.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against HSV testing for people without symptoms in most situations. This is because of the limits of a herpes blood test and the possibility of a wrong test result. Wrong test results are more likely for people at low risk of infection.
It can take three to six weeks from the initial infection before enough IgG is produced to be detected.
IgG vs. IgM
The IgG test is not the only antibody test used to detect HSV. There's also an HSV immunoglobulin M (IgM) test, which detects IgM.
Unlike IgG antibodies that stay in the body and can be detected for a lifetime, IgM antibodies don't last very long. They usually can only be detected during an active or recent infection.
Another advantage of the IgG test is that it's more accurate when it comes to telling the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is the type of herpes primarily associated with cold sores. HSV-2 is the type that mainly causes genital herpes.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Risks and Contraindications of an HSV IgG Test
There are no reasons why someone can't have an IgG test. The risks associated with the procedure are very low.
Before the Test
This test requires no preparation, and it only takes a few minutes.
Timing
The minimum time period between contact with HSV and the production of detectable antibodies, what's called the window period, is four to six weeks after the suspected exposure. Testing any time earlier would likely return a negative result unless you have been infected with HSV before.
If you have clinical signs of an infection and your HSV IgG test is negative, repeat the test in about four to six weeks to confirm the results. The test will also determine which type of HSV virus you may have acquired.
Location
HSV antibody blood tests may be offered at:
While some of these centers offer drop-in testing, others may require an appointment and/or a referral. Call in advance for details and to confirm that they provide the IgG test.
Food and Drink
There are no food or drink restrictions you need to follow before having this test.
Cost and Health Insurance
Depending on where you live and the lab you use, your HSV IgG blood test can cost between $45 and $120 or more. Public clinics tend to be cheaper.
Genital HSV is considered an STI. But don't assume that a free STI clinic will have the test or provide it free of charge. Some may only offer free testing for:
Search for free or low-cost STI clinics in your area by using the GetTested locator offered by the CDC.
What to Bring
If using a public clinic, the facility may require a government-issued ID to confirm your residency. Call in advance for details.
You should also check to see if they accept your insurance if you are enrolled in a plan. Bring your insurance card (if applicable) and a method of payment.
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During the Test
Upon arrival at the testing site, you will be asked to register, sign a consent form, and possibly confirm your insurance information.
Because genital HSV is not what's called a notifiable disease, like HIV or hepatitis, your information and results will not be shared with local, municipal, state, or federal health authorities.
Pre-Test
Some STI clinics will conduct a short pre-test counseling. The counseling aims to establish why you feel you need the test and whether you may be at risk of other STIs.
Based on your response, the counselor may recommend additional STI screening. The recommendations do not have anything to do with you personally. They are based on guidelines for all people in highly affected populations.
This includes chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for sexually active women under age 25, women ages 25 and older, and men with certain risk factors. They may also offer HIV testing, which is recommended once for all people ages 15&#;65.
Throughout the Test
An HSV blood test is a simple blood draw involving the following steps:
After the Test
You will have a small puncture wound at the injection site. This should stop bleeding within a few minutes. Leave the bandage on for about one day to prevent infection.
While it isn't common, you might have soreness, swelling, and/or bruising at the injection site. Light-headedness and infection are rare but also possible.
HSV-1 IgG Test Results Interpretation
An HSV test with a positive (abnormal) IgG result means that you either have or have had an HSV infection at some point. Since a positive result means that your body has built an IgG immune response to HSV, a negative IgG test means that your body has never needed to do so and you have never been infected with HSV.
Your test results should be ready within two to five working days. Timing may vary depending on the clinic or lab.
The results of your HSV blood test will generally be reported as either:
If your test is equivocal, your healthcare provider might consider the results of other tests you've had done to make a diagnosis. They might also recommend repeating the IgG test after a few weeks.
IgG results may be considered along with IgM results. IgG antibodies take longer to produce but last a lifetime. IgM antibodies are detectable after a few days but disappear within a few weeks.
That said, between 30% and 70% of people with recurrent infections test positive for IgM, according to a review published in the Virology Journal.
A false-negative result, in which your test result is incorrectly reported as negative for HSV antibodies, can sometimes occur. This happens, for instance, if you have your test within the window period, not allowing enough time to pass after a possible exposure. You may also have a false-positive result, in which the test result incorrectly reads as positive.
According to the CDC, more than one out of every six people ages 14&#;49 years old has genital HSV.
HSV-1 can be transmitted even when no symptoms are present but is most contagious when sores are visible. Consistent, correct use of a condom is the best way to prevent genital herpes (and other STIs).
Summary
An IgG blood test is used to diagnose herpes simplex virus infection. It detects the antibodies your body produces to fight against the virus.
It can take three to six weeks from the initial infection before enough IgG is produced to be detected. Test results are ready within two to five working days.
What is the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2?
HSV-1 and HSV-2 have a few differences. HSV-1 is transmitted through kissing and oral sex, while HSV-2 is transmitted through vaginal, anal, as well as oral sex. HSV-1 can cause cold sores and blisters to appear around the mouth, while HSV-2 causes them to appear around the genitals. In many cases, people with HSV-1 are asymptomatic.
How many people have HSV-2?
As of February , it is estimated that 491 million people between the ages of 15 to 49 have HSV-2. As for HSV-1, an estimated 3.7 billion people younger than 50 have the infection.
Can a herpes test give a false-positive result?
Yes, a herpes test can give a false-positive result. This means that a herpes test can say you have the virus when you do not have it. Although it can be uncomfortable, talking to a healthcare provider about your sexual history is the best way to know whether you should test for herpes and other STDs.
What is the difference between HSV and HPV?
There are a few differences between HSV and HPV. For one, HSV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) while HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). While HSV can cause cold sores and blisters around the mouth or genitals, HPV can cause genital warts and lead to cancer.
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