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Does PCR/NAA Test Give Accurate Test Results For HSV-1 And HSV-2?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Question: Hello

Is PCR accurate?
today I went to LabCorp and got my blood taken to get HSV 1-2 check.
I was wondering if PCR or NAA whatever LabCorp is accurate in results?
It has been at least 3 weeks since the first symptoms.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
More sensitive than culture.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
PCR/ NAA is more sensitive than the viral cultures.
It is more accurate than cultures.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)
It's been 20 days since I first had my contact, and I tested today. Do you think that the result will be accurate by now?

What technically is culture? And sensitive meaning that it can come out false positive?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Sensitivity will have less false negatives

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

It is not clear whether you had any symptoms.
Did the partner have herpes disease or any active lesions?
PCR detects DNA material of virus. Samples are either from the local tissue smear or blood. In your case I think sample drawn is blood
Culture is detecting virus by growing in laboratory by different methods.
Sensitive means less people will have false negative test. It will detect better if you have virus.

PCR is more sensitive than culture in detecting herpes.

By 20 days if exposed to herpes virus, PCR test would have come positive.

You can get back for any clarification.

Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1764 Questions

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Does PCR/NAA Test Give Accurate Test Results For HSV-1 And HSV-2?

Brief Answer: More sensitive than culture. Detailed Answer: Hi Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query. PCR/ NAA is more sensitive than the viral cultures. It is more accurate than cultures. You can get back for any clarification. Thank you Dr Bharatesh D Basti Dermatologist and venereologist