• Blisters or ulcers -- most often on the mouth, lips and gums, or genitals
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin (usually only at the time of the initial infection)
• Fever blisters
• Fever -- especially during the first episode
• Genital lesions -- there may first be a burning or tingling sensation
• Mouth sores

Many times, doctors can tell whether you have an HSV infection simply by looking at the sores. However, certain tests may be ordered to be sure of the diagnosis. These tests include:

• Blood test for antibodies of HSV (serology)
• Direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test of cells taken from a lesion
• Viral culture of the lesion

Images

Herpes simplex - close-up

Herpetic whitlow on the thumb

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Herpes simplex Overview

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Herpes simplex Treatment

Review Date: 05/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)