children s health issues
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection in Newborns
Diagnosis of HSV Infection in Newborns
Testing of a sample taken from blisters and other body fluids To diagnose herpes simplex virus infection, doctors take samples of material from the blisters and other body fluids and send the samples to a laboratory to grow (culture) the virus and identify the herpes simplex virus. Doctors may also do the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (PCR) test on the samples. This test looks for the genetic material of the virus and enables doctors to rapidly identify the virus. If doctors suspect the newborn has a brain infection, a spinal tap (lumbar puncture—see figure How a Spinal Tap Is Done ) to obtain a sample of spinal fluid may be done. 