Herpes Simplex virus in urine (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 released from the mouth or genital mucosa or skin that appears normal. Typically, a person can contract HSV-2 only during genital contact with someone who has an HSV-2 infection. However, oral-genital contact with a person infected with oral HSV-1 can result in genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission most often occurs with an infected partner who does not have visible lesions and who may not know they are infected. Most individuals infected with HSV are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for other skin conditions. When symptoms do occur, they typically appear 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 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 differ between the first and 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.