How Long Does It Take for Herpes to Show up on a Blood Test?

Herpes blood tests can detect antibodies 12-16 weeks after initial infection, though some people develop detectable levels as early as 6 weeks. The IgG antibody test is most reliable for diagnosis, as it identifies long-term antibodies that indicate past or current infection. Type-specific tests can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 with over 95% accuracy. During the window period before antibodies develop, blood tests may show false negatives even when someone is infected. For immediate concerns after recent exposure, PCR testing of active lesions provides faster, more accurate results than blood work.

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