Screening for Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Type 1)En Español
(Spanish Version) The purpose of screening is early diagnosis
and treatment. Screening tests are usually given to people
without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for
certain diseases. There are no screening guidelines for cold
sores. A simple antibody blood test can show if you have been
exposed to the herpes virus in the past. If you test positive,
it means you could get a cold sore in the future. However, most
people test positive for herpes simplex type 1. Therefore, this
test is not very useful for screening purposes. Herpes. American
Academy of Family Physicians. Family Doctor.org website.
Available at: . Updated October 2009. Accessed August 13, 2012.
Herpes labialis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: . Updated
March 27, 2011. Accessed August 12, 2012. Herpes simplex.
DermNet NZ website. Available at: . Updated June 2008. Accessed
August 13, 2012. Kuehl B. Cold sores: how to prevent and treat
them. Skin Care Guide.ca website. Ava