In private practice blood testing for Herpes Simplex (HSV II antibodies) is a waste of time and money.

These tests are more often asked for by obstetricians in pregnancy to avoid neonatal herpes. In a pregnant patient, the obstetrician is interested to do this test if the infection occurs in the last few months of pregnancy. Even in that situation the tests are often not helpful because it is impossible to predict which child is going to develop neonatal herpes simplex, since most of the population shows positive blood tests.

In patients having chronic prostatitis, in addition to chlamydia and trichomonas infection, herpes simplex is also supposed to be the causative organism. But, the response to treatment is poor unless given for a prolonged period to both the partners. More the reason the treatment can be started without carrying out the blood tests, which are very costly.

Thus, in my opinion, the blood tests for Herpes Simplex (HSV II antibodies) should be more or less stopped, especially in non-affording patients.