Genital Herpes Test Kit

A genital herpes test kit is a simple swab kit that you can use at home to take a test sample for genital herpes. Our test checks for the herpes viruses that cause oral and genital herpes called HSV1 and HSV2.

What is genital herpes?

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

Genital herpes symptoms include:

• painful blisters that burst and leave open sores around your genitals, anus and bottom
• pain when you pee
• burning or itching around your genitals
• abnormal vaginal discharge

When you get symptoms of genital herpes, this is called an outbreak. There is currently no cure, but an outbreak can be treated with antiviral medication.

When taken at the first sign of symptoms, genital herpes treatment can shorten an outbreak and relieve symptoms faster than without medication. Some people only get a herpes outbreak once, while for some people it can happen every few months or years.

You should get tested for herpes at least 2 weeks after potential exposure to the infection, such as unprotected sex with someone with sores or lesions around their genitals, mouth, or anus. This is because it takes 2 weeks for the virus to become detectable in a herpes test. If you get tested earlier than this, it is more likely that you will receive a false negative result.

You can only get tested for genital herpes if you have symptoms. 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.

Our home herpes test kit involves taking a swab from an open sore or blister. The test kit also comes with a leaflet with detailed instructions. You must follow these instructions carefully to ensure your test results are accurate.

1. Wash and dry your hands before doing the test. Unpack the test kit and get everything ready.
2. Get into a comfortable position where you can accurately take a swab of an open sore or blister.
3. Twist the cap to break the seal of the swab test, removing it carefully. Be very careful not to let the tip of the swab touch anything else.
4. Gently use the tip of the swab to rub directly onto an open sore or blister to collect some fluid. You may have to break a blister to take a good sample.
5. Rotate the swab over the open sore or blister for around 10 seconds, before removing it and placing it back into the swab tube.
6. Snap the swab at the break line and seal the tube securely.
7. Wash and dry your hands before filling out the sample label and attaching it to the tube.
8. Your sample can now be packaged up using the prepaid envelope and posted in any UK post box.

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

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

You can get a blood test to check for antibodies to the herpes virus if you don’t currently have any symptoms.

Results are typically available within 1 to 3 days after the lab receives your sample. You’ll be notified via email when your results are ready to view securely in your online patient account. We will never send you confidential information such as a test result via email or text message.

Negative result

A negative result means that HSV1 or HSV2 was not detected in your sample at the time of testing. This does not guarantee that you are not infected with the herpes virus as the virus may not always be detectable, especially if symptoms are recent or mild.

If you still have symptoms, or they come back, you should take another test or speak with your doctor about testing for other possible causes of these symptoms.

Positive result

A positive result means the herpes virus (HSV1 or HSV2) was found in your sample, and that you have genital herpes. The test will let you know which strain was found in your sample.

If you test positive, our doctors will be on hand to provide expert advice on your next steps and provide the best herpes treatments to help manage your symptoms.

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.

Can herpes be treated?

No, there is no cure for herpes, but outbreaks can be managed and suppressed with antiviral medications.

Treatment options include:

• antiviral medications 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 sexual partners)
• numbing cream such as lidocaine (a local anaesthetic cream) to provide pain 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 may be the start of an outbreak
• avoiding sharing sex toys if possible, or washing them and putting a condom on them between sexual partners

Why do I need to test myself for genital herpes?

Genital herpes is contagious so you can spread it unknowingly to sexual partners if you don’t know you have the infection. It can be spread even when you have no symptoms, although this is less common.

Risks of leaving genital herpes untreated

It’s not likely for genital herpes to cause many long-term effects, but getting a test and the right treatment can reduce the severity and length of an outbreak, and stop you from getting multiple outbreaks.

If you have genital herpes and you’re pregnant, there’s a risk your baby can develop an illness called neonatal herpes. This can be fatal so your baby will need antiviral treatment. If you don’t know you have the infection, there’s a risk that your baby could get seriously ill.

Genital herpes and other conditions

You might need more regular sexual health screening as genital herpes can increase your chances of becoming infected with HIV. It can also be more serious if you have HIV.

Genital herpes can cause similar symptoms to some other infections, like syphilis or genital warts, so it’s important to have a test to make sure that you get the right treatment.