Herpes Simplex virus (HSV1/2) PCR

Herpes Simplex 1/2 infections are transmitted through contact with HSV herpes lesions, mucosal surfaces, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from normally appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. Typically, a person can get infected with HSV-2 only during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. However, oral-genital contact with a person infected with oral HSV-1 can lead to genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission often occurs from an infected partner who does not have visible sores and who may not know they are infected. Most people infected with HSV are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for other skin conditions. When symptoms occur, they typically manifest as one or more vesicles on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 2 to 12 days after exposure. The vesicles break and leave painful ulcers that may take 2 to 4 weeks to heal. The appearance of these symptoms is known as the first herpes 'outbreak' or episode. Clinical manifestations of genital herpes vary between the first and recurrent (i.e., later) outbreaks. The first herpes outbreak is often associated with a longer duration of lesions, increased viral shedding (resulting in higher transmission risk of HSV), and systemic symptoms, including fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or headache.