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Serum herpes simplex antibodies - Risks

Alternative Names

Herpes serology

What the risks are:

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.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Special considerations:

While HSV-1 and HSV-2 are usually only active from time to time, once they're in your system, they stay there for the rest of your life.

Ask your doctor what steps you need to take if you develop symptoms. Ask how to decrease your risk of spreading the virus to other people. Condoms may not fully protect against HSV.

Herpes biopsy

Reviewed last on: 6/8/2007
Mark Levin, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Wald A, Ashley-Morrow R. Serological testing for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 infection.Clin Infect Dis 2002;35 (Suppl 2):S173-82.

Turner KR, Wong EH, Kent CK, et al. Serologic herpes testing in the real world. Validation of new type-specific serologic herpes simplex virus tests in a public health laboratory. Sex Trans Dis 2002;29:422-425

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