Culture - herpes simplex virus; Herpes simplex virus culture
A normal result means that the herpes simplex virus did not grow in the laboratory dish. This is a sign that the skin sample is free of such infection.
Abnormal results may mean that you have an active infection with herpes simplex virus. An example of such an infection is herpes genitalis (genital herpes simplex).
Abnormal results may also be due to asymptomatic viral shedding.