Genital Herpes Test Kit

Our genital herpes test kit allows you to test yourself at home to see if you have genital herpes. The test checks for the herpes viruses that cause both oral and genital herpes (HSV1 and HSV2).

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Symptoms include:

• blisters that burst and leave open sores around your genitals, anus and bottom
• pain when you pee
• burning or itching around your genitals
• in women, discharge that is different to normal

There is no cure for genital herpes, but knowing if you have the virus can help you manage outbreaks in the future. It also means you can let your sexual partners know so they can take precautions such as using a condom, avoiding sex if they have symptoms and exercising good hygiene when using sex toys.

To use our home test kits, you need to have blisters and sores in and around the genitals.

You will need to take a swab from the sore or blister. For the most accurate result, you should take this swab before the sore or blister heals over.

Ordering and using a kit to test for genital herpes is easy:

1. Click ‘start order’ and provide the address of your choice.
2. When your test arrives, follow the instructions carefully to make sure you get a good sample.
3. Once you have taken your sample, use the pre paid and addressed envelope to send it to our lab.
4. You will get the results through your private patient account within a few days.

We will never contact you via email or text with your results.

If your result is positive, it means that the lab found either HSV1 or HSV2 in your sample. Our doctors will recommend the right treatment for you. This will depend on whether you still have symptoms or not.

A negative result means that the lab cannot detect either HSV1 or HSV2 in your sample, but it does not mean you are definitely not infected with the herpes virus. If you still have symptoms or your symptoms recur, you should test again. Your doctor can also organise a test for other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.

Anyone can use our home testing kit for genital herpes as long as they have the sores and blisters from which the swab must be taken.

Do I have to take a blood test for the genital herpes test?

No, the home test kit for genital herpes involves taking a swab of the fluid from one of the sores of blisters and is not a blood test.

Why do I need to test myself for genital herpes?

Genital herpes can sometimes look like other infections, so it’s important to have a test for genital herpes if you’ve not had one before, to make sure that you wouldn’t need another type of treatment.

When should I get tested for herpes?

You should get tested for herpes if you have symptoms that you think might be genital herpes. Herpes swab tests need to be taken from a sore or open blister, so you need to have these for the test to be accurate.

The symptoms of genital herpes include sores and blisters around your genitals, anus and bottom, burning or itching around your genitals and pain when you pee. Women may also experience a discharge that is different to usual.

Is genital herpes an STI?

Yes, genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. This means it is passed on through sexual contact.

What should I do if I test positive for genital herpes?

If you test positive for genital herpes, our doctors can advise you on the best treatment to manage your symptoms and protect yourself and your sexual partners.

Treatment includes:

• antiviral medication such as aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir to reduce the length of outbreaks or suppress the virus (so you are less likely to give it to partners)
• numbing cream such as Lidocaine (a local anaesthetic cream) to provide relief to the affected area

You can reduce the chances of passing genital herpes onto others by:

• using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex (note that if the condom does not cover the infected area then herpes can be passed on)
• avoiding sex if you or your partner has blisters, sores or a tingle or itch that signifies the start of an outbreak
• being careful with sex toys: avoid sharing if possible, wash them and put a condom on them