A genital herpes test is used to find out if you have the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is responsible for causing genital herpes. The herpes home test kit from Superdrug Online Doctor is a swab test. That means you need to collect a small fluid sample using a swab, similar to a cotton bud, from an open sore or blister, and send it to our partner laboratory for analysis.

Sometimes, if there are no sores or blisters present, a blood test or urine test is used, but we only test for genital herpes using a swab test (except as part of a larger STI screen for men, when a urine herpes test is performed)

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a virus called HSV. There are many different types of HSV, but 2 main types that can cause genital herpes are:

• HSV-1 – the main cause of oral herpes (cold sores), which can be passed on during oral sex, causing genital herpes
• HSV-2 – the main cause of genital herpes, which causes sores around the genitals, thighs, and anus (bottom)

Genital herpes is one of the most common STIs, with 70% of people carrying the herpes virus by the time they are 25.

Although there is no cure, outbreaks can be managed and even prevented with antiviral medications.

This at-home genital herpes test is suitable for anyone who is sexually active. Because it is a swab test and requires you to collect a small sample from an active sore, anyone with a penis or vagina can use it.

You should get a test for genital herpes if you:

• are sexually active
• have symptoms, like painful sores or blisters
• have had unprotected sex with a partner who has genital herpes
• have multiple sexual partners
• have a new sexual partner

Genital herpes symptoms usually appear 2 to 12 days after you have caught the virus, but they can take weeks, months, or even years to appear.

You can collect a sample for our genital herpes home test kit when you have an active sore, as this will confirm if HSV is causing your symptoms.

Can you test too early for genital herpes?

Yes, you can test too early for genital herpes, especially if you have a blood test, because it can take 16 weeks for your body to develop detectable antibodies. For a swab test, you must wait for any sores or blisters to show before taking a sample, as you will need to collect a small amount of fluid from an active sore for the test to be accurate.

How often should you test for genital herpes?

You should get tested if you have new genital lesions. This can help to reduce the spread of genital herpes.

Can a person test positive for genital herpes after 1 week?

Genital herpes symptoms can appear 2 to 12 days after HSV enters your body. So, it is possible to test positive for genital herpes after 1 week if you have symptoms and you or a doctor collects a sample from an active sore.

The herpes home test kit from Superdrug Online Doctor is a swab test which requires a small fluid sample to be collected from an active sore. Each kit comes with everything you need to collect your sample and send it back to our partner lab for testing.

Before collecting your sample, fill out the sample collection tube label and note the postage label tracking number. Now you’re ready to collect your sample:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them completely with a clean towel.
2. Apply the label to the sample collection tube vertically.
3. Place the tube in one of the larger holes in the tray. Remove the cap and place it foil side up on the side, being careful not to spill any liquid from the tube. Do not touch the foil top on the lid.
4. Remove the cotton swab from the packaging, and use one hand to hold the plastic shaft at the black line in the middle.
5. Using the swab tip, gently scrape a blister or sore – use only one sore site – to collect fluid, or if the sore has a crust, use the swab to lift the scab and collect from the base of the active sore.
6. Carefully place the swab into the collection tube and snap the stick off at the black line.
7. Throw the stick end of the swab away, leaving the cotton tip end in the liquid in the tube. Screw the cap securely back onto the tube.
8. Place the tube in the transport pouch.
9. Post the envelope with your sample to our partner laboratory.

Home genital herpes test kits are accurate, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests offering 98 to 99% accuracy when a sample is collected during an active outbreak. The accuracy of these tests relies on the sample being collected correctly and at the right time.

Blood tests are sometimes used to detect genital herpes, but they may not be as accurate for diagnosing current infections compared to swab tests. To request a herpes blood test, please contact your GP or sexual health clinic.

Is the home herpes test as accurate as an in-person test?

Yes, a home herpes swab test kit can be as accurate as an in-person test because they are both often PCR tests. As long as the sample is collected correctly, at the right time, and is analysed by an accredited laboratory, a home test kit can be highly accurate at detecting genital herpes.

Once our partner lab receives your sample, you can expect your results within 72 hours. You will get your results confidentially in your patient account and will receive an email to let you know when they are ready to view.

We will never email or text you your results.

When you get your genital herpes test results, you will either receive a positive or a negative result. One of our doctors will review your results and give you advice about what to do next, including how to access genital herpes treatment if needed.

What does a negative test result mean?

A negative result means that HSV was not present at the time you took your sample.

If you took the herpes test when there were no active sores present, you may need to re-do the test if blisters or sores appear later, as there is a chance you took the test too early.

What does a positive test result mean?

If you have received a positive genital herpes test result, it means that HSV was detected in your sample and that it is highly likely that you have genital herpes.

If you have received a positive test result, one of our doctors will advise you on what to do next, as you may need treatment. Superdrug Online Doctor can provide genital herpes treatment if you have received a positive test result.

What does a false positive result mean?

A false-positive result is when you are told you have genital herpes when you do not. This can happen if you have a blood test because the test may mistake antibodies for another infection for HSV.

Swab tests are highly accurate and are less likely to give a false positive result.

However, please note, false negatives (where you are told you do not have the virus when you do) are more likely to happen if you take the test too early.

How do I know if my genital herpes is type 1 or 2?

The only way to know for sure which type of HSV you have is to take a test, like a swab test. The symptoms of HSV-1 and HSV-2 can overlap, but HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes worldwide.

Do I need to contact my sexual partners if I test positive for genital herpes?

Yes, if you can, you should let your sexual partners know that you have tested positive for genital herpes. The infection is easily spread, so there is a chance you may have passed it on to someone you have had sex with, or they may have passed it on to you without realising. Getting tested and then accessing appropriate treatment can help stop the infection from spreading to others and help you manage your symptoms.

What genital herpes test does the NHS use?

The NHS uses a viral swab test similar to the at-home test provided by Superdrug Online Doctor. They will swab an active sore, which will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The lab will use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the herpes simplex virus and can tell you whether you have HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Can I have genital herpes and test negative?

Yes, it is possible to have genital herpes and test negative, especially if you have tested too soon, have not collected the sample properly, or the sample was taken too late, for example, after the sores have healed. If you have received a negative result and think it may be wrong, you may need to repeat the test.

Can you get a genital herpes test for free?

Yes, you can get a genital herpes test for free on the NHS. You will need to visit an NHS sexual health clinic to get a test or contact your GP to see if a test is available from them.

Which test is best for genital herpes?

A viral swab test is highly accurate at detecting HSV DNA because it uses PCR to amplify the virus's genetic material. If there are no visible sores, a blood test may be used to detect HSV antibodies, which will tell you if you have had a previous infection.

How can I tell the difference between genital herpes and genital warts?

Genital herpes causes painful, fluid-filled sores and blisters that burst and then heal over. During the first infection, you may also get flu-like symptoms, while genital warts are flesh-coloured soft bumps that can look like a cauliflower. They do not usually cause open sores, but they can itch or bleed.

If you think you have genital herpes or genital, you should contact a doctor for a diagnosis.

What can be mistaken for herpes?

Many skin issues can look similar to herpes, including razor bumps, ingrown hairs, bug bites, yeast infections (thrush), genital warts, syphilis, and contact dermatitis, because they can cause similar-looking blisters, sores, or itchy bumps. If you think you have genital herpes, you should get a test or see a doctor for a diagnosis.