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By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor usually can diagnose genital herpes based on a physical exam and the results of certain laboratory tests:
- Viral culture. This test involves taking a tissue sample or scraping of the sores for examination in the laboratory.
- Blood test. This test analyzes a sample of your blood for the presence of HSV antibodies to detect a past herpes infection.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. From a blood, tissue or spinal fluid sample, this DNA test can establish the presence of HSV and determine which type of HSV you have.
Because people with herpes commonly have other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or HIV/AIDS, your doctor will likely examine you for these diseases as well. If you suspect that you previously had a herpes outbreak, a blood test can confirm past exposure to HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection.
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