Herpes Infections - Diagnosis

Cold sores and genital herpes both have a very distinctive appearance. Simple observation of a patient's symptoms often provides a strong indication of the problem. However, the symptoms of the two diseases are somewhat similar to those of other infections. Cold sores, for example, look something like a bacterial infection known as impetigo. There may also be some confusion between cold sores in the mouth and canker sores.

A variety of diseases cause sores in the genital area also. Some examples include syphilis, chancroid, herpes zoster (another infection caused by the herpes virus), and inflammatory bowel disease. In some cases, it is difficult to distinguish the blisters and ulcers caused by genital herpes and sores produced by other diseases.

To confirm a diagnosis, a doctor can do a culture of cells taken from the infected area by wiping a clean cotton swab over the infected area. The material collected on the swab is then kept in a warm, moist environment for a few days. The organisms responsible for the infection can be identified when examined under a microscope.