Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus exists as two main types, HSV-1 and HSV-2.
HSV testing identifies the presence of the virus in a sample from a blister, sore or fluid to diagnose an active herpes infection or testing detects antibodies in the blood to determine previous exposure to herpes.
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are contagious and periodically cause small fever blisters (vesicles) that break to form open lesions.
HSV-1 primarily causes blisters or "cold sores" around the mouth (non-genital sites).
HSV-2 usually causes lesions around the genital area.
However, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can affect either the oral or genital areas.
The herpes simplex virus can be passed from person-to-person through skin contact while the sores are open and healing and sometimes when there are no visible sores. HSV-2 is the type most often spread during sex, but HSV-1 may also infect the genital area during oral sex.
Most people who have HSV-2 are unaware they are infected because signs and symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed.
When symptoms do appear, they may begin as painful blisters at the site of infection, usually within two weeks after infection.
- The blisters can appear around the mouth, in the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anus, or on the buttocks or thighs.
- The blisters generally heal within two to four weeks.
This primary episode can include a second outbreak of blisters and even flu-like symptoms such as fever and swollen glands. However, not everyone develops blisters and sometimes symptoms are so mild that they are unnoticeable or mistaken for something else, such as insect bites or a rash. Once you are infected and the initial infection resolves, the virus remains in your body in a latent form for the rest of your life. During periods of stress or illness, the virus may reactivate and you may have periodic outbreaks. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those who have had an organ transplant, may have more frequent and serious outbreaks of HSV.
What about treatment:
There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir can suppress outbreaks and shorten the duration of symptoms and active shedding of the virus.
Neonatal herpes:
Rarely, the virus can cause infections in newborns (neonatal herpes) when a mother transmits the virus to her baby during a vaginal delivery. Neonatal herpes symptoms appear during the first month of life. If left untreated, herpes can cause long-term health problems in the baby and can be life-threatening. A pregnant woman who has been diagnosed with herpes may be monitored regularly prior to delivery to detect a reactivation of her infection.
A HSV infection can spread to the brain, causing encephalitis. This illness can be fatal or cause serious, permanent neurological problems in those who survive.
Herpes may be tested a few different ways:
Direct detection of the virus: The preferred methods of testing for the virus in people with active blisters or sores are the herpes culture and HSV PCR testing. PCR testing is the preferred method if encephalitis or neonatal herpes are suspected.
HSV DNA PCR (NAAT): this method detects HSV genetic material in a sample from the blister, blood, or other fluid, such as spinal fluid. PCR can detect the virus as well as identify the type of herpes virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). This method is more sensitive than culture and is becoming more widely available.
Herpes culture: a sample of fluid is collected from an open sore using a swab and cultured. If the culture is positive, the virus can be further identified as HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Antibody testing: HSV antibody (serologic) testing detects immune proteins called immunoglobulin G (IgG) in your blood that the body produces in response to a herpes infection. HSV antibody testing can detect both HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies as well as differentiate between them.
Keeping track of your medical data and laboratory results while understanding what they mean empowers positive health outcomes.
Keeping track of your medical data and lab results while understanding what they mean empowers positive health outcomes.
Save 10% off any plan with promo-code:
HEALTH10
It can be difficult to decipher IgG and IgM results when performed together. It's important to remember that IgG antibodies take longer to produce but last a lifetime, while IgM antibodies are detectable after a few days but dissipate within a few weeks.
If you test positive for IgG but not IgM, you have probably been infected for at least two months. People with newer infections are more likely to test positive for IgG and IgM or just IgM alone.
Having positive IgG and IgM results doesn't necessarily mean that you were infected recently. In fact, between 30 and 70 percent of people with recurrent infections will test positive for IgM, according to a 2014 review published in the Virology Journal. [L]
Positive IgG and Positive IgM: Infection date indeterminate
Positive IgG and Negative IgM: Established Infection
------------------
Testing positive for HSV-1 IgG, Type Spec (Type Specific) indicates that you have been exposed to Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) and have developed specific antibodies (IgG) against the virus. HSV-1 is one of two types of herpes simplex viruses and is most commonly associated with oral herpes, which includes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth, although it can also cause genital herpes.
Here are the key points about this test result:
- Past Exposure: A positive HSV-1 IgG test means that you have been exposed to the virus at some point in your life. IgG antibodies develop several weeks after the initial infection and remain in the body for life, providing long-term immunity.
- Type-Specific Test: The 'Type Spec' in the test name implies that the test specifically distinguishes between HSV-1 and HSV-2 (which is more commonly associated with genital herpes). This specificity is important for understanding the likely site and nature of the infection.
- Asymptomatic Infection: Many people with HSV-1 infection do not experience symptoms or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed. As a result, they may be unaware they have been infected.
- Possible Oral Herpes: If you have had symptoms, they most likely would have been cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. However, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes, although this is less common than genital herpes caused by HSV-2.
- Transmission and Reactivation: HSV-1 is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids or lesions, even when no symptoms are present. The virus can remain dormant in nerve cells and reactivate, causing recurrent symptoms.
- Management: There is no cure for HSV-1, but symptoms can be managed with antiviral medications, especially in cases of frequent or severe outbreaks.
It's important to discuss these results with a healthcare provider to understand their implications, especially if you experience symptoms or have concerns about transmission. The provider can offer advice on managing the infection and preventing its spread.
Sign up
Sign up now and create your account. Use code HEALTH10 for a 10% discount on any plan. Don't miss out!
Organize
Bring all results from any laboratories to your account. You can enter your tests yourself, or we'll be happy to organize your files—whether in PDF, JPEG, CSV, or even screenshots.
Learn and improve
Once your information is stored in your account, dive into a wealth of insights about your results. If you have any more questions, we are here to answer them.
Guiding our user for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
$15/month
for personal lab results
Cancel your subscription at any time.
$250/once
full premium version
$45/month
track your clients’ labs
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Guiding our user for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
Personal plans
track personal results
Professional Plan
track multiple client's results
$15/month
for personal lab results
$250/once
own it for life
$45/month
for health professionals
Complete Plan
Unlimited Plan
$15 per month
$250 full version
Are you a health professional?
Level up your lab report analysis with our Pro plan, built for health practitioners like you.
Health Business Account
$45/month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Unlock additional Pro plans when you sign up.
Unlock Your Health Journey with Healthmatters.io! Ever wished for a one-stop digital health haven for all your lab tests? Look no further! Healthmatters.io is your personalized health dashboard, bringing together test reports from any lab. Say goodbye to scattered results—organize and centralize your lab data effortlessly. Dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data.
Join the community of thousands who've transformed the way they understand their lab results. Experience the joy of having all your lab data neatly organized, regardless of where or when the tests were done.
For our professional users, Healthmatters.io is a game-changer. Revel in the intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history. It's not just a dashboard; it's your gateway to a smarter, more informed health journey!
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we do talk about popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too. It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters. We can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
Still on the hunt for a specific biomarker? Just tell us, and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account!
There are two ways to add your test reports to your healthmatters.io account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you. We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Unlocking the insights from your lab tests has never been this intuitive! We've crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into a treasure trove of testing data.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewGet a quick grasp of your test reports in minutes! Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Experience the power of clear, organized data visualization with Healthmatters.io — your key to understanding and taking charge of your health journey!
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional or business account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (IgG), Type-Specific Antibodies, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (IgM), Type-Specific Antibodies, Herpesvirus 6 IGG (HHV-6), Herpesvirus 6 IGM (HHV-6), HHV 6 IgG Antibodies, HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec, HSV 1 IgM Antibodies, HSV 2 IgG Inhibition, IA, HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec, HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB, HSV 2 IgM Antibodies, Human Herpes Virus Type 6 IgM
