Not useful per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
July 12, 2022
LabCorp has announced that they are currently not able to perform this assay. There is no alternative test available.
Per CDC guidelines, IgM testing for HSV 1 or HSV-2 is not useful, because IgM tests are not type-specific and might be positive during recurrent genital or oral episodes of herpes.
Type specific IgG antibodies develop during the first several weeks after infection and persist indefinitely. Type-specific IgG antibody testing might be useful in the following situations.
HSV serologic testing should be considered for persons presenting for an STD evaluation, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type specific IgG antibodies.
Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
Refrigerated
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)