Serum herpes simplex antibodies
How the test is performed:
Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
The sample is taken to the laboratory, allowed to clot for 1 hour, and evaluated for the presence and quantity of antibodies.
How to prepare for the test:
Adults:
No special preparation is necessary.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How the test will feel:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed:
This test detects if your immune system has been in contact with the herpes simplex virus. This appears in the form of antibodies against the virus. If these antibodies are present, you are infected with herpes simplex.
It is also possible to determine if the infection was recently acquired, or if it is a reactivation. While the herpes virus is usually only active episodically, once in your system, it stays there for the rest of your life. A reactivation means that the virus has been dormant for a period and is now showing symptoms again.
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