A PCR blood test might be used when systemic infection, such as in a newborn, is suspected. A newborn who has herpes and no effective immune system might well have virus in their blood. That is about the only usual circumstance when a herpes PCR of the blood would be used.
I have contacted WedMD about the error on their site, don't know when they will respond
Terri
Thank you for your response Terri. I wonder why the PCR blood test would even be offered if it isn't any good. You say Herpes is found in the nerve and on the skin. If this is the case, how can you test for Herpes in the nerve?
Also, to my question earlier, under what circumstance would a PCR blood test be positive for Herpes?
1. Oh dear. That is one of the biggest medical boo boos I've seen on this site. PCR should be used as a SWAB test, not a blood test. Rarely do people with herpes have virus in their blood stream, is it in the nerve and on the skin, not in the blood. The WebMD site does say this, and I will ask them to correct this immediately. Kind of unbelievable. PCR SWAB test is definitely the recommended method for swabbing lesions. At an index value of >8, you are definitely infected with HSV 2 and can infect people when you do and don't have a lesion.
2. Since we are no where near this, I don't know how to answer that question at this time.
I hope this is helpful in understanding your test results. Oh dear.
Terri