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Herpes Simplex Virus

The facts:

Two very common types of viruses are referred to as Herpes Simplex viruses. In common parlance, they cause the so-called fever blisters. They occur in the area of the mouth, particularly the lips (usually virus type 1). In addition, they can also establish themselves in the genital region (usually virus type 2).

Herpes Simplex viruses are acquired for life, i. e. our immune system is unable to eradicate them. The Herpes Simplex infection tends to flare up under stress, illnesses and other factors.

What does our test include?

The presence of Herpes Simplex viruses is determined based on a swab from the fever blister of the lip or the genital region. The swab is collected using a type of cotton stick, completely painless and very simple. Dabbing the cotton swab on the fever blister in the mouth or genital region causes fluid, skin cells and viruses to stick to it. After you mail in the cotton swab to the laboratory, these viruses can be identified there, confirming that the blisters are the result of a Herpes Simplex infection.

When should you take this test?

If blisters within the meaning of fever blisters occur in the mouth or genital region for the first time, which are weeping, itchy and/or tender, this test can be used to determine whether the infection has been caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. In particular if the symptoms are extensive or in persons with suppressed immune systems (the elderly, very young persons and persons with weak immune systems), it is important to know whether the infection has been caused by the Herpes Simplex or a different virus.

How to use this test? (to instructions)

Use the enclosed test swab for the identification of Herpes Simplex viruses. Dab it onto the blisters in your mouth or genital region. Fluid containing skin cells and viruses sticks on the swab. This procedure is painfree and does not cause any injuries. After you are done, mail the test swab back to us in the enclosed original container. No consultation with a physician is required for the collection of the specimen.

Please follow the instructions on the illustrations (pictograms), explaining the proper collection of specimens.

Wie und wann erhalten Sie die Resultate?

Spätestens drei Tage nach Eingang des Teststäbchens bei uns i How and when will you receive the results?

You will be informed of the results no later than three days upon receipt of the test swab at our laboratory. The results will be e-mailed to you (disclaimer) or published on our homepage in an area only accessible by you (link, disclaimer, and password).

What happens, if the results reveal an HSV infection?

Most Herpes Simplex virus infections are harmless. The blisters usually heal after approximately one week, even without treatment. If the infection is confirmed to be caused by Herpes Simplex viruses, an ointment for application onto the blisters in the mouth or genital region is available from the pharmacy. The same ointment can be applied as early as possible for any future outbreak of the infection.

If the area covered with blisters is extensive or painful or if you are having a fever, you should consult a physician. The available laboratory test results will help your physician in establishing the proper diagnosis quickly.

What happens if the results reveal that you are not infected with HSV?

A number of other illnesses can cause fever blister-like alterations in the mouth and genital region. Most often, they are caused by the Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), the pathogen causing chickenpox and shingles. We are able to identify this virus and establish the corresponding diagnosis based on the same specimen. However, we will need your instructions to do so. If none of the two pathogens are identified, you should consult your physician, telling him/her that a HSV or VZV infection has been excluded.

Additional information:

Time and time again

Generally, our immune system is able to fight and eradicate pathogens and we are considered immune against this intruder after this episode. Should it try to attack us again, it will be recognised quickly and eradicated even faster than the first time.

In the case of Herpes Simplex and Varicella-Zoster viruses, the situation is different.

Our immune system is never able to eliminate this virus completely. Why?

HSV and VZV are hidden in bundles of nerve fibres which are unable to reach the cells of our immune system; i. e. the virus is hiding successfully.

When our immune system is weak, the viruses reappear, causing painful fever blisters or shingles.

Even exposure to sunlight and stress at work can cause a flare up of the Herpes Simplex infection.

Occurrence

The Herpes Simplex virus mainly affecting the lips (HSV type 1) is common. Approximately 90 % of the population carries the virus. The majority only suffers from fever blisters on rare occasions. The infection with these viruses usually occurs during childhood (between the ages of 3 and 5), when children share drinking glasses containing the virus or use their hands to put contaminated fluids into their mouths.

The Herpes Simplex virus mainly affecting the genital region (HSV type 2) is less common. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse. As a result, its earliest incidence is in early adulthood.

The situation with respect to the Varicella-Zoster virus is similar. The infection occurs in childhood, either noticed (chickenpox) or unnoticed. More than 95 in 100 adults carry the virus. In some adults, the illness reoccurs as shingles.

Secondary illnesses

In most cases, Herpes Simplex infections are uncomfortable but harmless. The fever blisters heal within one week, without leaving any scars. Unfortunately, complications are possible. Especially infections in newborns and persons with weak immune systems (e. g. AIDS patients) as well as an involvement of the eyes are dangerous and require immediate medical attention.

Treatment

The fever blisters and symptoms generally heal within one week without any complications. Because treatment of viruses is much more difficult compared to bacteria, the number of effective treatment options is limited. Some effective ointments are available to treat smaller affected areas. Virus-inhibiting tablets are required to treat extensive affected areas or complications.

How are the tests conducted at our laboratory?

In our laboratory we are using the highly sensitive and highly specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of HSV and VZV:

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