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:
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 it Feels:
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 .

Risks:
Risks associated with venipuncture are slight:

  • excessive bleeding
  • fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
  • multiple punctures to locate veins



Why this 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.

Normal Values:
Normally no antibodies against herpes simplex virus are found in the sample.

Abnormal Results:
The presence of antibodies indicates an active infection, and it is further determined whether this is a new infection or a reactivation.

Cost:
Information not available.

Special Considerations:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.