Does A Swab Test Distinguish Between HSV1 And HSV2?
Question: I understand there are swab and blood tests for HSV. My question is whether swab tests distinguish between HSV1 & HSV2. I understand that blood tests can distinguish between HSV1 & HSV2 antibodies, but I don't know if that's true about swab tests. Could you please elaborate? In other words, if someone has genital HSV, can a swab test definitively tell whether the virus is HSV1 or HSV2?
Brief Answer:
Swab for PCR for type specific HSV DNA can distinguish between types
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have hone through your query and i have noted your concern
Yes, swab test which is a type specific PCR for Hsv DNA can very well distinguish between hsv types.
Regards
Swab for PCR for type specific HSV DNA can distinguish between types
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have hone through your query and i have noted your concern
Yes, swab test which is a type specific PCR for Hsv DNA can very well distinguish between hsv types.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar