A member asked:

Is a urine pcr test reliable for detecting herpes?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Hunter Handsfield answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

Not reliable: The herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR test is not intended for urine testing. If someone is having a herpes outbreak involving the urethra (which would be quite painful), a PCR test might detect it. But a negative urine PCR would miss almost all herpes infections. If you're having a possible herpes outbreak, the sores/lesions need PCR testing. If no symptoms, a blood test is available.

Answered 8/10/2020

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