Diagnosis of genital herpes
PCR is the most sensitive method, especially when taken from vesicles in the first days of the rash; during the inter-relapse period, the virus may not be released, so a negative result with typical symptoms does not exclude the diagnosis (supplemented by a blood test for IgG/IgM). Determining the type is important for prognosis: HSV-2 recurs more often. During pregnancy, virus isolation before childbirth is an indication for antiviral therapy and a decision on the method of delivery. If the result is positive, treatment and relapse prevention are prescribed.
Indications
- discharge, itching, burning, pain during urination and sexual intercourse;
- inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis), appendages, chronic colpitis with relapses;
- pregnancy planning and examination during pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage;
- new sexual partner, unprotected contact, STI in a partner;
- before operations, hysteroscopy, IUD insertion, IVF;
- cure control.
Why PCR
Polymerase chain reaction detects pathogen DNA even in minimal quantities and in asymptomatic cases, distinguishes between species (for example, Ureaplasma parvum and urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium), and the quantitative format shows the concentration - important for opportunistic microbes, which are treated only when the threshold is exceeded. A regular smear on the flora shows only leukocytes and gross changes; sowing is long; PCR is a fast and accurate standard for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections.
