Herpes test

If you are experiencing symptoms, an at-home Herpes test from AlphaBiolabs is a simple, accurate way of finding out whether you have contracted the herpes simplex virus (herpes). 

There are many reasons why you might want a Herpes test including:

• You are experiencing symptoms e.g. pain or itching, small red bumps or white blisters, ulcers, scabs (on your genitals and/or other parts of your body)
• You engage in unprotected sex (or have engaged in unprotected sex in the past)
• You and/or your partner(s) have multiple sexual partners
• You’ve met someone new and want to be sure you’re both healthy before beginning a physical relationship

Whatever your reasons, if you are sexually active, regular STI tests – including herpes testing if you have symptoms – can help you remain in good health, detect infections early to reduce the likelihood of complications, and prevent infections spreading to other people.

Our Herpes test requires a lesion swab sample to be collected from a visible lesion, sore or ulcer, meaning that it can only be used to test for herpes if you are experiencing symptoms (symptomatic).

For more information on symptoms and complications see ‘What are the symptoms of herpes?’

How often you get tested and which STIs (previously called STDs) you are tested for can depend on your age, gender, risk factors, and how sexually active you are.

If you’re a man who’s sexually active…

It is recommended that you get an STI test annually. However, you may want to consider having a test every three- to- six- months if you are having regular unprotected sex with new or casual partners.

If you’re a woman who’s sexually active…

• It is recommended that you get an STI test annually. However, you may want to consider having a test every three- to- six- months if you are having regular unprotected sex with new or casual partners.
• If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you get tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis. Women who are high risk may also consider being tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

AlphaBiolabs offers a range of STI tests to help you keep your sexual health in check, including:

• Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea test
• 7-panel STI test
• HIV test
• Herpes test
• Syphilis test
• Herpes & Syphilis test
• HIV & Syphilis test
• Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & HIV test

If you are having regular unprotected sex – especially if you and/or your partner have multiple sexual partners – it is recommended that you have a comprehensive sexual health test at least once a year.

This should include a multi-panel test such as our  7-panel STI test, which tests for some of the most common STIs in the UK, and at least one blood test, such as our:

• Syphilis test 
• HIV test
• HIV & Syphilis
• Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & HIV test

For more information on symptoms and complications see ‘What are the symptoms of herpes?’

If you’re sexually active, and are experiencing symptoms, a Herpes test is the most reliable way of finding out whether you have the herpes simplex virus. It can also prevent you from spreading the virus to other people.

The incubation period for herpes – the amount of time from when you are first infected to when you first begin to show or experience symptoms – is 3-6 days, but it can take up to 14 days (2 weeks) for symptoms to appear.

We recommend that you take a Herpes test as soon as symptoms appear. Symptoms include small sores, ulcers and/or wart-like growths on your genitals and/or other parts of your body.

If you collect your sample too soon (before symptoms appear), the results of your test may not be as accurate.

If left untreated, both oral and genital herpes can lead to complications, including pain and susceptibility to other infections. If genital herpes is passed on during pregnancy or childbirth, it can also cause several complications in newborn babies.

In some cases, symptoms may not appear for weeks or even years after you have been infected herpes and, even if you have received treatment previously, you may suffer from an outbreak or recurrence of symptoms.

General guidance

If you are sexually active, a comprehensive sexual health check is recommended once a year, and should include a multi-panel test such as our 7-panel STI test, which tests for some of the most common STIs in the UK, and at least one blood test, such as our:

• Syphilis test 
• HIV test
• HIV & Syphilis
• Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & HIV test

If you are in a high-risk category and/or engage in frequent sexual activity with multiple partners, you may want to consider having a comprehensive sexual health check every 3-6 months.

For further advice and guidance, visit https://www.sexwise.org.uk/

Our Herpes test is 100% accurate and reliable based on the samples we receive at our laboratory.

Our UKAS-accredited laboratory works to strict, government enforced protocols to ensure your results are as accurate as possible.

Unlike many other online STI testing providers, our range of STI/STD tests has been developed in accordance with stringent guidelines as set by the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV (BASHH), Faculty of Sexual Reproductive Health (FSHR) and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

If you have any concerns about the reliability of your results, we would be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you might have.

For further guidance, we recommend making an appointment with your GP or visiting your nearest sexual health clinic.

You can also learn more about STIs/STDs by visiting https://www.sexwise.org.uk/

Once you have ordered your test, we will dispatch your test kit and also send you an email with a link to register your test online.

Please follow this link to complete your registration form online, ensuring that all your personal details are correct before collecting your samples.

If you have not received the email by the time you receive your test kit, please contact us on 0333 600 1300 or email health@alphabiolabs.com for assistance.

IMPORTANT: You MUST register your test online before returning your samples to our laboratory.

We will not be able to start the testing process until you have registered your test.

Our Herpes test requires a lesion swab sample to be taken from a visible lesion, sore or ulcer.

When you receive your sample collection kit, simply follow the enclosed instructions to collect your sample.

Once you have collected your sample, carefully package the sample in the protective packaging, place it into the pre-paid tracked return polythene envelope and return it to our UK laboratory.

If you would like confidential advice on how to collect your sample, please contact our Customer Services team who will be able to assist you (call 0333 600 1300 or email health@alphabiolabs.com)

Our Herpes test can detect the presence of Herpes Simplex virus Type-1 (HSV-1) or Type-2 (HSV-2), using a lesion swab.

The swab must be gently rubbed over an active lesion, sore or ulcer, to collect a sample of fluid and/or skin from the affected area. 

The sample is then analysed at our laboratory using a PCR testing method.

This test can also be used on cold sores and can tell you whether you have HSV-1 (the most common cause of cold sores) or HSV-2 (common cause of genital herpes).

For further advice and guidance, visit https://www.sexwise.org.uk/

Many people with STI infections will not experience any symptoms at all, meaning that regular STI testing is important.

Our Herpes test can detect the herpes pathogen using a simple lesion swab. The test requires a lesion swab sample to be taken from a visible lesion, sore or ulcer.

Below is an overview of some of the most common herpes symptoms experienced by men and women, along with possible complications if left untreated:

No, you cannot take a Herpes test if you do not have any symptoms.

The Herpes test has been designed to test people who are symptomatic (displaying symptoms of herpes) and requires a lesion swab to be rubbed gently and painlessly over an active lesion, sore, or ulcer.

If you believe you have been exposed to an STI, but do not have symptoms, you can order a different test such as our 7-panel STI test, HIV & Syphilis test, Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea test, Syphilis test, HIV Test, and/or Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & HIV Test.

You can order one of these tests here.

Our Herpes test can detect the presence of herpes simplex virus Type-1 or Type-2 (HSV-1 or HSV-2) using a lesion swab.

The swab must be gently rubbed over an active lesion, sore or ulcer, to collect a sample of fluid and/or skin from the affected area.

The sample is then analysed at our laboratory using a PCR testing method.

Your test results will tell you whether you had a detectable infection (HSV-1 and/or HSV-2) at the time your sample was collected.

If an infection is Detected (HSV-1 and/or HSV-2), this means that you had an infection at the time you collected your sample.

If you receive a Detected result, you MUST contact your local GP or healthcare provider for treatment and confirmatory diagnosis as soon as possible.

If an infection is Not detected, this means that you did not have a detectable infection at the time you collected your sample.

If you receive a Not detected result but continue to experience symptoms, we recommend that you take another test after 2 weeks.

Full confidentiality is maintained throughout the testing process and when providing you with your results.

However, it is important to note that in the interests of public health and safety, AlphaBiolabs is required to report certain ‘clinically significant’ core organisms to Public Health England if they are detected within your sample.

These organisms include herpes, chlamydia trachomatis, mycoplasma hominis, mycoplasma genitalium, neisseria gonorrhoea and trichomonas vaginalis.

For this reason, we do ask for limited personal information from individuals submitting their samples for STI testing.

Reports made to Public Health England include the individual’s full name, date of birth, gender, ethnicity, and postcode.

Yes, you can take a Herpes test or any other STI (STD) test when you’re pregnant.

If you are expecting a baby and are experiencing symptoms that could indicate you have an STI, it’s especially important to get a test before the baby is born.

This is because certain STIs/STDs including herpes can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or during delivery.

You can still collect your lesion swab sample while you are pregnant, and your test result will be just as conclusive as if you weren’t pregnant.

Your partner does not have to take a Herpes test just because you have decided to take one.

However, if your results show that an infection has been detected, you should let your partner know so that they can also arrange to be tested. 

We strongly advise that you get an STI test if an infection has been detected in your partner’s sample.

If you have received your results and a herpes infection has been detected, you must contact your GP or visit your local sexual health clinic for further guidance and treatment options as soon as possible.

Any Detected results will require further testing for confirmation. Your GP or local sexual health clinic will be able to advise on next steps.

You should also abstain from sexual contact, to avoid passing the infection(s) on to other people and contact any sexual partners as soon as possible to inform them of the result.