Almost the entire population is infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 on our planet. Some species are not particularly dangerous, while others, on the contrary, can create serious problems, and in certain cases, for example, during pregnancy, the effects of the virus can be fatal.
Therefore, it is very important to timely pass the analysis for the herpes simplex virus.
Virus Overview
About twenty percent of Russians report the appearance of vesicles and sores on their lips up to about ten times a year. This is not even surprising, because antibodies to herpes of the first type, which indicate the presence of the pathogen in the body, are usually found in almost one hundred percent of the examined.
Is it a “cold”?
Herpes is often called a "cold", but this is completely wrong, since the herpes virus does not belong to the causative agents of otolaryngological diseases. No pills for colds, whether it is antipyretic, antibiotics or any other medicines, in the presence of herpes, will not help a person.
The role of virus diagnosis and the extent of the problem
Herpes is the most common viral disease in the world. It is quite simple to infect them, since it is able to be transmitted by any contact: during kisses, sexual intercourse, during childbirth from mother to baby, in a domestic way, and sometimes even in airborne droplets. By the time they were twenty, almost everyone was infected with this virus.
Once in the blood, the herpes simplex virus lives in the body for years, without manifesting itself. But he is waiting for the moment when the human immune system weakens. The trigger is usually a serious illness along with stress, overwork and chronic lack of sleep, hypothermia, hormonal changes, that is, almost any shake for the body can cause it. The occurrence of herpes depends on the type of virus.
Herpes and its types
In total, the following eight types of herpes are distinguished:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 is the most common. It is he who is able to cause the appearance of vesicles, which are filled with liquid, on the tongue, lips, mucous membranes of the mouth and so on. Sometimes a couple of hours before the onset of bubbles in a person, the temperature rises and weakness appears, however, very often this virus attacks a person without warning.
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 leads to the appearance of a similar rash, but on the mucous membranes of the genitals. This species is transmitted through sexual contact. Such a virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women and can lead to fetal pathologies.
- The third type is called chickenpox virus. It can cause chickenpox, which is very characteristic of children, and, in addition, shingles. The rash can occur not on the mucous membranes, but on the skin, and it usually lasts a very long time, about a month. Such a rash can be accompanied by headaches, weakness and fever.
- A fourth type of herpes simplex virus is better known as the Epstein-Barr virus. Characteristic vesicles are located on the tonsils, the virus, in turn, provokes an extremely severe sore throat, which is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, weakness, drowsiness, and severe sore throat.
- Many people are infected with the fifth type of herpes on our planet, but basically this virus seems to sleep, without causing any characteristic symptoms. True, in an active state, the so-called cytomegalovirus is very dangerous, since it causes severe damage to internal organs. In the event that a pregnant woman is infected with herpes of the fifth type, then the risk of premature birth is very high, a miscarriage, as well as fetal pathology, is not excluded.
- The sixth type can lead to the development of eczema, as well as to lymphosarcoma or lymphoma.
- Herpes of the seventh type is a very mysterious virus, the only manifestation of which is chronic fatigue. At the same time, fatigue is such that it cannot cope with either sleep or rest. Over time, against the background of this type of herpes, memory problems may develop, and, in addition, with a concentration of attention, a person turns into an irritable and apathetic person, the immunity suffers very much. As a rule, with such symptoms, people do not go to the doctors, not even suspecting that chronic fatigue can be caused by such a serious viral infection.
- Herpes of the eighth type is a rather rare and poorly studied disease that affects lymphocytes, it is often found in HIV-infected patients, pathology appears by the appearance of small sores on the skin. Usually this type is activated in the case of the development of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Completely untreated
Many experts believe that it is impossible to completely get rid of the herpes simplex virus. And in this statement there is some truth, but this is only partially true. Yes, indeed today it is impossible to completely destroy this virus in the body. But it is quite possible to suppress its activity so that the manifestations of the virus will not bother. In this case, treatment is usually carried out combined, antiviral drugs are used along with immune-strengthening agents. In addition, physiotherapeutic techniques are used, for example, ozone therapy. And in case of exacerbation, local antiviral and painkillers are used.
It is necessary to diagnose and treat herpes, and this is especially important first of all for those who are going to become parents. For adults, the virus causes only discomfort, but for newborns it can be deadly.
Diagnostic steps
The diagnosis of herpes simplex virus is divided into two stages. The first thing to do is to have a medical examination. And the second is laboratory research, the purpose of which is to find and identify the virus in the blood, and, in addition, in other biomaterials. Sometimes, upon examination, the doctor is able to determine what type of herpes he has encountered. For example, the herpes simplex virus type 1 is very simple to determine.
But visual signs can be misleading, for example, genital herpes usually looks like syphilis. And for some types of herpes, external symptoms are generally not characteristic.
Direction for analysis
In this regard, the doctor must send the patient for analysis. Laboratory methods are the basis for the diagnosis of herpes. They make it possible to determine the presence of the virus even in those cases when it is inactive, and it also allows you to determine the type of pathogen along with its concentration.
When is the appointment of tests appropriate?
It is advisable to take tests for the herpes simplex virus regularly, even if there are no manifestations of the disease. This is a completely normal measure of health monitoring. But in a number of some situations, herpes tests are mandatory:
- At the stage of pregnancy planning.
- Immediately before preparing for organ transplantation.
- In the case of the appearance of bubbles and rashes on the skin, the cause of which is difficult to determine during a visual examination.
We will find out how antibodies to the herpes simplex virus type 1 are determined.
Methods of laboratory diagnosis of herpes
Laboratory diagnosis includes several options for various analyzes. The question of what kind of analysis for herpes is required in each case is decided by the attending physician. Sometimes, for complete confidence, several different studies are required at once.
Classical methods of research and analysis
The following tests are considered to be classic research options:
- Carrying out a polymerase chain reaction. This is an affordable and extremely simple technique that allows you to quickly identify the virus even in cases where its concentration in the blood is extremely low. PCR can be used to study almost any biomaterial. The basis of this analysis is the multiple copying of part of the DNA of the causative agent of the disease with the subsequent identification of the virus.
- Enzyme immunoassay. Using this method, the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to the herpes simplex virus is detected and their concentration is calculated. In the presence of exacerbation, the IgM content is usually extremely high, and in the chronic stage, the amount of IgG increases. Thus, thanks to this method, it is possible to establish the phase of the disease.
- Conducting immunofluorescence reactions. With this technique, the biomaterial is treated with a special substance, under the influence of which the antigens are highlighted, and due to this they can be detected very quickly in the framework of microscopic examination. This method works great when the concentration of the virus in the blood is very high. And the test is positive for the herpes simplex virus.
Additional diagnostic techniques
Additional research options include the following tests:
- Carrying out the cultural method. This is an accurate and reliable technique, the only significant disadvantage of which is a very long wait for the results. In the framework of the study, the biomaterial is transferred to the culture medium in a cultural way. The virus begins to actively fight healthy cells, and the researcher, who monitors their changes, gets an excellent opportunity to identify the virus. False positive or false negative results when using the cultural technique are almost excluded. True, the result has to wait two weeks.
- The performance of the serological method. This is the most common and affordable method for the diagnosis of herpes, which determines the antibodies of class G. Often it is prescribed in case of suspected herpes of the second type. In this case, blood from a vein serves as biomaterial for the study.
- Performing an immunogram. This is not exactly an analysis for herpes, but rather a test of the immunity. A specialist examines blood from a vein and determines the total number of immune cells along with their ratio. This analysis makes it possible to determine which immunoglobulins in the body are missing. An immunogram is prescribed to select the right treatment in order to stimulate the body's defense systems.
- Carrying out "dot-hybridization". This technique is in many ways similar to PCR; it is also aimed at detecting the DNA of the virus. This diagnostic method can be used even when there is no external manifestation of the disease.
- Performing vulvovolpocervicoscopy. This technique is used to diagnose genital herpes in women. The doctor examines the mucous membranes of the vagina using a special microscope, which gives a not too large increase, but this is enough to notice a rash characteristic of herpes.
Antibodies: interpretation of test results
As part of the study of antibodies and the diagnosis of this virus, the following interpretation of the analysis results exists:
- The presence of IgM antibodies generally indicates the presence of an acute or recent infection.
- The presence of antibodies to type 1 IgG herpes simplex virus indicates a previous infection.
- The presence of a negative value indicates that the material does not contain antibodies to the virus.
- The boundary value indicates that it is recommended to re-take the material for analysis after two weeks. In the event that the result again turns out to be borderline, then it should be considered definitively negative.
You can not diagnose the presence of infection on the basis of only one positive result of the analysis, you should, among other things, take into account the anamnesis along with clinical symptoms.
How much does a cold sore test cost?
The cost of tests to determine this virus varies significantly in certain private Russian laboratories, so we give the average prices. For example, PCR analysis costs up to about one and a half thousand rubles if it is performed on absolutely all types of herpes. This study will cost only three hundred rubles if the analysis is carried out on any one specific type of virus.
To the cost of the analysis itself, it is necessary to add the price of the biomaterial fence, which averages from two hundred to three hundred rubles. Four hundred rubles for patients will cost a smear fence. The set of certain tests required for delivery is determined by the attending physician.