HSV-1 (oral herpes)

HSV-1 (oral herpes) Overview

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) typically causes orolabial herpes (cold sores) and is often acquired non-sexually in childhood, but it can also be transmitted via oral-genital contact and increasingly causes genital herpes in young adults. Detecting HSV-1 in an STI panel (especially during evaluation of genital ulcers) is important because differentiating it from HSV-2 informs prognosis and counseling (CDC 2024b, Workowski et al. 2021).

References

Workowski, K. A., Bachmann, L. H., Chan, P. A., Johnston, C. M., Muzny, C. A., Park I., Reno, H., Jonathan M. Zenilman J.M.,Bolan, G. A. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 70(4), 1–187. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024b). Genital herpes – CDC detailed fact sheet.Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/herpes

Products used to detect HSV-1 (oral herpes)

STI PCR Panel – Large

The STI large PCR panel is designed for multiplex in vitro assessment of 9 common microbiota typically associated with transmission by sexual activity, using real-time PCR.

Women’s Health PCR Panel – Large

The women’s health large PCR panel is designed for multiplex in vitro assessment of 37 common vaginal microbiota and resistance markers, using real-time PCR.