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Diagnosis of Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Type 1)

Posted by Writing Staff on July 1, 2008 6:08 PM

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Because they have very recognizable features, cold sores are most often diagnosed by physical exam and by your medical history. If your healthcare provider is not sure, he or she may take a sample of the fluid or tissue from the blister or a blood sample for testing.

Testing may include any of the following:

Viral Culture With a cotton swab, a sample of the fluid from the cold sore blisters is taken as soon as possible after an outbreak begins. The virus is then grown in the laboratory and identified. This test is almost 100% accurate if the sample is taken while there are still clear blisters.

Tzanck Test The cold sore is lightly scraped to collect cells onto a glass slide. These cells are then examined under a microscope to identify them. This test is quick but accurate in only 50%-70% of cases.

Antibody Titer (ELISA) The body creates antibodies to fight an infection. This blood test measures the level of antibodies made by the body to fight herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is 85% accurate in detecting if a person has been infected by HSV; however, it is not used routinely as the only diagnostic test.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) This test multiplies the number of pieces of the HSV in the test fluid, making it easier to detect. This test is as accurate as a culture, but with quicker results. It is expensive, however, and not commonly used. References: American Academy of Dermatologywebsite. Available at: http://www.aad.org/default.htm. Accessed February 24, 2006. Australian Herpes Management Forumwebsite. Available at: http://www.ahmf.com.au/default.htm. Accessed February 24, 2006. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Researchwebsite. Available at: http://www.mayo.edu/. Accessed February 24, 2006. Merck Manual of Medical Information . Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000. Last reviewed March 2007 by David Horn, MD, FACPPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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