|  | Conditions Treatments | Herpes

What Does a Positive Herpes 2 Test Mean?

A person who tests positive for herpes 2 has contracted the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), one of the two herpes simplex viruses. This virus is the cause of most cases of genital herpes.

  1. Identification

    • HSV-2 most commonly causes genital herpes. However, genital herpes can also be caused by HSV-1, the cold-sore virus, and HSV-2 can also lead to oral herpes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Location

    • Unless confirmed by the presence of sores on the genitals, a positive test for HSV-2 does not demonstrate the location of the infection, since it can cause either genital or oral symptoms.

    Considerations

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people who have contracted HSV-2 are unaware that they have been affected because they do not develop symptoms. A positive test does not indicate whether or not a person has ever had or will ever have herpes symptoms.

    Warning

    • A person who has contracted HSV-2 can pass the virus onto others, whether or not symptoms are present.

    Treatment

    • A person with active genital herpes may be put on antiviral medications (acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir). These drugs can either be taken to manage outbreaks when they happen or be taken every day to reduce the number of outbreaks that occur, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Herpes - Related Articles