One of the most important and underrated aspects of our lives is sexual health. There is a taboo surrounding sexual health. However, the faster you get rid of this taboo and become aware of your sexual health, the better it is for us. You certainly do not want to suffer from sexual infection, to stay away from such risks, you need to conduct certain tests. Of all the sexual infections, the one that impacts the lives of many is genital herpes.
Your overall health also constitutes your sexual health. If you want to enjoy good overall health, you have to take care of your sexual health as well. All these infections in your sexual life intrude when you are careless, especially when making love. Know that there is nothing to be ashamed of about your sexual health. If you notice any issue in your sexual health, make sure to consult with a gynecologist.
When you suffer from genital herpes, generally, the gynecologist asks you to undergo a blood test for herpes. This is because the blood test gives you an idea about the intensity of herpes. It also gives gynecologists an idea about the way by which the doctor can approach the medical case and treat it well. Since many of you are not aware of the significance of genital herpes testing, we have come up with a blog. In this blog, we will share with you the importance of genital herpes testing. Therefore, without further delay, let’s get started.
What is genital herpes?
Also known as herpes simplex virus, genital herpes is a viral infection that occurs in the genitals. Due to the presence of herpes bacteria, you can get symptoms in your oral area as well as your genitals. Genital herpes doesn’t need to come up with symptoms always. This is where the problem lies. When people have asymptomatic genital herpes, it becomes a challenge for them to figure out the disease. As a result, they barely understand that they are suffering from sexual problems.
To understand the seriousness of the sexual issue, let’s pay attention to some facts. According to the World Health Organization, 67% of people belonging to the age of below 50 years suffer from genital and oral herpes. On the other hand, 13% of people belonging to the age group ranging between 15 to 49 years, suffer from HSV-2. In another research, scientists and doctors found that more than 90% of adults suffer from HSV-1 antibodies. The problem with genital herpes is it multiplies and spreads soon.
Why do you need genital herpes testing?
When you have a medical issue, the doctor makes it a point to prove it with the help of a test. So, make sure to undergo the test from a reputed location to get accurate results. The purpose of doing the herpes test in the UK is to find out if there is any presence of HSV infection in your genitals. However, let’s take a look into the specific reasons why you need to undergo herpes testing.
- To confirm the correct diagnosis of HSV infection, especially in symptomatic patients.
- To diagnose patients who have a history of genital sores or warts and do not show any symptoms.
- To find out if a pregnant woman has HSV infection in the genitalia.
- To understand if you are susceptible to getting the infection from your sexual partner who has HSV infection.
- To estimate the frequency of symptoms, meaning how many times you are getting the symptoms of genital herpes.
Once you undergo genital herpes testing, you can figure out the kind of herpes you are suffering from. Generally, there are two distinct types of genital herpes:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
Most oral herpes is caused to the presence of HSV-1. This type of herpes is generally contaminated during childhood. However, one can get HSV-1 in the genitals during oral sex. To prevent this, you need to use one of the barrier methods while sexual intercourse.
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
The most common type of genital herpes is HSV-2 which again spreads from oral sex. Since the HSv-2 spreads during oral sex, you can have sores in and around the lips and mouth. Generally, people spread HSV-2 during any form of sexual contacts like oral sex, vaginal sex, or anal sex.
How does the genital herpes test help?
The purpose of undergoing genital herpes testing is to identify if you are suffering from HSV-1 or HSV-2. To understand what genital herpes testing measures, you have to get an idea about the different types of testing that you can perform. We have explained the various kinds of testing in detail below:
- Viral culture
In the herpes viral culture test, the doctors will help you find out if the infection in your skin is caused by the intrusion of the HSV-1 or HSV-2 virus. You can conduct a viral culture only if you notice the sores and infection at an early stage.
- Polymerase chain reaction testing
Better known as PCR testing, HSV DNA testing, or DNA testing, here, the doctor collects a sample from your sores or infections and then puts it under the microscopic lens to find out if you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. With this test, you can make a clear distinction between HSV-1 and HSv-2. Since this is the primary method of testing, the doctor may ask you to go for a series of tests later to monitor and control the disease.
- Tzanck smear
In this test, the doctor takes a sample of cells from your sores and inspects them under the microscope to find out the characteristics of these cells. The Tzanck smear testing does not require the sample cells to be sent to the laboratory for screening. Instead, a doctor can examine the cells under a microscope.
Conclusion
Therefore, with the help of genital herpes testing, you can get an idea about you’re intrusion of HSV-1 or HSV-2. You can reach out to herpes test in the UK to get better results. Remember, your testing results will help the doctor prepare a plan of treatment accordingly.
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