Herpes Simplex virus in urine (HSV1/2) (PCR)

Herpes Simplex 1/2 infections are transmitted through contact with HSV herpes sores, mucous surfaces, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from seemingly normal oral or genital mucosa or skin. Typically, a person can acquire HSV-2 only through genital 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 most often occurs during contact with an infected partner who does not have visible lesions and may not know they are infected. Most individuals infected with HSV are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are confused with other skin conditions. When symptoms do occur, herpes lesions usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, mouth, or elsewhere. The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 2 to 12 days after exposure. The blisters break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal. The appearance of these symptoms is referred to as the first herpes 'outbreak' or episode. Clinical manifestations of genital herpes vary from the first to recurrent (i.e., subsequent) outbreaks. The first herpes outbreak is often associated with a longer healing period, increased viral shedding (thus increasing the likelihood of HSV transmission), and systemic symptoms, including fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or headache.