Alert

Due to winter weather, some UNC Health facilities are closed or have altered operating hours. View clinic delays and closures.

Effective Jan. 5, 2026: Temporary Age-Based Visitor Restrictions at UNC Health for all inpatient and waiting areas throughout its inpatient hospitals.

Read More

HSV 1/2 PCR

Specimen Type = Swab, Red Tube Top

              

Test ID   LAB917
EPIC Order
   HSV 1 AND 2 BY PCR
CPT Code(s)   87529
Group/Individual Test   Individual
Laboratory   Molecular Microbiology, 984-974-1820
Tube Station   82
Specimen Routine:
CSF: 1mL sterile container;
Biopsy: sterile container;
Blood: 0.5-1mL gold SST tube; orange top will not be accepted
Bone Marrow: lavender EDTA;
Bronchoscopy: obtained respiratory specimens: sterile container;
Lesion: red-capped swab **See Comments
Neonatal surface swabs: Swab the conjunctivae, mouth, nasopharynx, and anus (in that order) with a red-capped swab. 
Availability Routine: Monday-Friday
Turnaround Time   3 days
Reference Range
 Normal: Negative
Comment
  • Potential inhibitors to PCR which should not be used:
    --Cotton Swabs
    --Calcium alginate swabs
    --Wooden-shafted swabs
  • HSV PCR on blood is only indicated for the detection of disseminated HSV in neonates and severely immunocompromised patients. It should not be used to determine exposure (order serology) or the causative agent of lesions (order HSV PCR on a lesion swab)
  • This assay detects and differentiates both HSV-1 and HSV-2 viral DNA.
  • For serological testing refer to:  Herpex Simplex Antibodies (HSV) (LAB5170)

**Lesions should be collected by unroofing a fresh lesion and swabbing the base of the lesion. 

Reviewed by J. Carr on November 23, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514