Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 IgG And IgM Ab Serum

Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection, commonly known as genital herpes, is a viral infection in the genital area. HSV-2 infection causes sores and blisters in the genital area or rectum. A genital herpes test is necessary because the virus remains dormant in the nerves and comes to the surface after activation.

It is a sexually transmitted disease that causes ulcer-like blisters in both men and women. This highly contagious disease can spread even when the person is asymptomatic. However, the patient will likely develop symptoms during an active infection after 3 to 7 days.

HSV type 2 test is necessary to detect the presence of infection. Additionally, it becomes easier to start medication for the condition and manage the symptoms before it becomes severe.

Apollo 24|7 has a dedicated HSV antibody test to look for the presence of the virus in an individual. Even though the symptoms could be mild and the virus may remain dormant, below are the symptoms that may require you to take the HSV type 2 test:

• Fatigue 
• Physical and emotional strain
• Persistent blisters due to consumption of immunosuppressive drugs
• Menstruation 
• Trauma in the genital area, including sexual activity 
• Blisters and sores in the skin
• Watery sores spreading across the genital epidermis

The HSV antibody test depends on ELISA techniques to detect the presence of viral antibodies. The basic concept behind the test is based on an immunological assay. Based on this concept, the body produces antibodies against viral antigens.

The amount of antibodies in the blood indicates the intensity of the infection in the body. This concentration is tested by the ELISA technique using capture and detection antibodies.

The primary antibodies are IgG and IgM, which are commonly active during infection. IgG is abundant during a viral and bacterial infection, whereas IgM is the first immunoglobulin produced to counteract the infection. Hence, HSV IgG and IgM tests estimate the condition’s intensity.

The serum extracted from the blood sample during ELISA contains immunoglobulin. After separating the serum, the laboratory technician coats a 96-well plate with capture antibodies. Furthermore, the detected antibody is mixed with the solution.

The final step is an important one because it produces color. As a result, the intensity of the color is read using spectrophotometric techniques—the darker the color, the more severe the infection.

It is one of the most accurate techniques because the samples undergo multiple divisions to duplicate the results. Hence, one can estimate the infection by simply calculating the average results.