Please note: The information on this website is provided by Cosmocare Medical Center as Dubai STD Clinic for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Herpes Simplex 2(HSV) Test in Dubai (STD)

• Herpes Simplex 2 is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Dubai.

  What is a herpes (HSV) test?

• Herpes is a skin infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, known as HSV. HSV causes painful blisters or sores in different parts of the body. There are two main types of HSV:
• HSV-1, which usually causes blisters or cold sores around the mouth (oral herpes)
• HSV-2, which usually causes blisters or sores in the genital area (genital herpes)

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Herpes is spread through direct contact with sores. HSV-2 is usually spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Sometimes herpes can be spread even if there are no visible sores.

 

What is it used for?

An HSV test may be used to:

• Find out whether sores on the mouth or genitals are caused by HSV
• Diagnose an HSV infection in a pregnant woman
• Find out if a newborn is infected with HSV

HSV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United Arab Emirates. The most accurate estimates derived from seroprevalence surveys show that 1 person in 5, aged 12 years and older in the UAE, has been infected with HSV-2, and the rate is even higher among adults and women.1 These estimates do not include the contribution of sexually acquired HSV-1 to the epidemic of genital herpes. An estimated 1.6 million new HSV-2 infections occur in the UAE annually.

 

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for a swab test or a blood test. For a lumbar puncture, you may be asked to empty your bladder and bowels before the test.

 

Are there any risks to the test?

There is no known risk to having a swab test.

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

If you had a lumbar puncture, you may have pain or tenderness in your back where the needle was inserted. You may also get a headache after the procedure.

 

Is there anything else I need to know about an HSV test?

The best way to prevent genital herpes or another STD is to not have sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by

• Being in a long-term relationship with one partner who has tested negative for STDs
• Using condoms correctly every time you have sex

If you've been diagnosed with genital herpes, condom use can reduce your risk of spreading the infection to others.