Genital Herpes Test

Why is it important to get tested for genital herpes?

It is important to take a test for genital herpes if you suspect you are infected because untreated genital herpes can have very serious health consequences. Aside from the continued discomfort that herpes can cause, you will have a significantly increased chance of catching HIV. It can also lead to meningitis or encephalitis. A new case of genital herpes is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause blindness, brain damage and in rare cases even death of a newborn baby.

You will have a higher risk of spreading the genital herpes infection to others if you do not manage the symptoms and get treated for this infection.

When should I take a genital herpes test kit?

Genital herpes is different to other STIs, as it's caused by a virus and not a bacterium. Viral STIs can never be completely cured, but medications are available for effectively treating the condition. Symptoms include visible red fluid-filled blisters, painful urination, glandular or groin swelling and a tingling or burning sensation around the infected area. Genital herpes infections more often than not have visible symptoms, although these symptoms may take months or even years to show up, so it's important to get regularly tested if you're sexually active.

Because the herpes simplex virus takes up to two weeks to show up as an infection on a test, it is advisable that you wait two weeks after you last had unprotected sex before taking a genital herpes test.

How do I take a genital herpes test?

If you would like to take a genital herpes test to make sure you do not have the infection, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, you can easily buy a genital herpes home test kit from us online. We provide safe and discreet genital herpes testing for men and women. Once you have received your test kit discreetly in the mail, you simply urinate in the specimen tube, place it in the transport cup and use the included pre-paid envelope to post it directly to our laboratory for testing.

If you would prefer to take a test that does not require a urine sample, you may wish to take the Symptomatic Lesion Swab test instead. If you order this test online, you will receive it in a matter of days. You will find a rayon-tipped swab included in the pack which will be on an extendable aluminium wire. Using this swab, you will need to take a sample of the actual visible lesion. This test is only viable for patients displaying visible symptoms of an infection.

When will I get my results?

Your test results will be made available to you securely online, once our laboratory has processed your test sample. You will receive an email within three to five working days of our laboratory receiving your test, notifying you that your results are ready to view online. You simply need to log-in to our secure patient's area where you can view your test results.

What happens if I test positive?

Genital herpes, unfortunately, is an incurable STI. Once infected, the virus will remain in your body. If you are already experiencing symptoms we can help you to receive anti-viral treatment from a registered doctor that can help to relieve the symptoms and clear the infection. If you are infected, but aren't experiencing symptoms, it may be a long time before the virus becomes apparent. You should consider speaking to your GP so that you are prepared to manage the infection if symptoms do appear.