Screening for Genital Herpes

Screening Guidelines

Screening for genital herpes is not recommended for everyone. But, if you are being tested or treated for other sexually transmitted disease , your doctor may screen you for genital herpes. Having multiple sex partners puts you at an increased risk of being infected with the virus.

If you are pregnant, your doctor will ask you if you have genital herpes and examine you for any sores in your genital area. A test may also be done to find out if you do have the virus. This is especially important at the time of labor to avoid spreading the virus to your baby.

References

Herpes genitalis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what . Updated September 4, 2012. Accessed February 25, 2013.

Gardella C, Huang ML, Wald A, et al. Rapid polymerase chain reaction assay to detect herpes simplex virus in the genital tract of women in labor. Obstet Gynecol . 2010;115(6):1209-1216.

Workowski KA, Berman S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. MMWR . 2010;59(No. RR-12):1-110.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 03/2013
Update Date: 00/31/2013

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.