Individual test · Labcorp 164897

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1), Type Specific Antibodies, IgG

This test measures specific IgG antibodies in your blood that your immune system creates after being exposed to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). It helps show whether you have carried this virus in the past, which is frequently the cause of cold sores around the mouth. This specific test helps distinguish HSV-1 from other viral strains, such as HSV-2. However, because these antibodies remain in your body long-term, the test cannot determine if you have an active infection right now or exactly when you were first exposed.