Culture - herpes simplex virus
Key points
- Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a test to confirm herpes simplex virus present in a skin lesion.
- A specimen from a skin lesion (often a genital lesion) is collected during the acute stage of symptomatic infection and placed in a special transport medium.
- The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust.
- The test is performed to confirm herpes simplex infection.
Alternative names
Herpes viral culture of lesion; Herpes simplex virus culture
Definition
Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a test to confirm herpes simplex virus present in a skin lesion.
How the test is performed
A specimen from a skin lesion (often a genital lesion) is collected during the acute stage of symptomatic infection and placed in a special transport medium. The specimen may be placed in cell cultures to replicate for identification, or it may be identified by monoclonal antibodies that detect early antigens of herpes simplex virus.
Serotyping of the virus (type 1 or 2) may also be done. Results are available within 16 hours to 7 days of receipt of the specimen, depending on the culture method used.
How to prepare for the test
The specimen must be collected during an acute infection.
Infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
- Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
- School age test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
- Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)
How the test will feel
The specimen is collected by scraping the suspected skin lesion or aspirating fluid from the lesion. This can cause a scraping or sticking sensation. Sometimes a specimen from the throat or eyes is obtained, usually by rubbing a sterile swab against the tissues.
Why the test is performed
The test is performed to confirm herpes simplex infection. The diagnosis is often made by clinical examination rather than diagnostic testing.
Normal Values
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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