The confirmation and characterization of the infection and its type by<unk><unk>  of herpes<unk>  virus in<unk><unk>  is essential for diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and management. Cell culture and PCR are the preferred HSV tests for people seeking medical treatment for<unk>  ulcers or other mucocutaneous<unk> . The sensitivity of viral culture is low, especially for recurrent<unk> , and declines rapidly as<unk>  begin to heal. PCR assays for HSV DNA are more sensitive and are increasingly used in many settings. PCR is the test of choice for<unk> g HSV in spinal fluid for diagnosis of HSV infection of the central nervous system. Viral culture isolates should be typed to determine which type of HSV is causing the infection. Failure to detect HSV by culture or PCR does not indicate an absence of HSV infection, because viral shedding is intermittent. The use of cytologic<unk>  of cellular changes of HSV infection is an insensitive and nonspecific method of diagnosis, both for<unk><unk>  (i.e., Tzanck preparation) and for cervical Pap smears and therefore should not be relied upon.
Herpes simplex direct detection of genital lesions
Trichomoniasis physical examination
Herpes simplex physical examination
Trichinosis physical examination
Onychomycosis physical examination
Candida vulvovaginitis physical examination
Trichomoniasis laboratory findings
Leishmaniasis physical examination