Herpes Testing
FAQ
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What is herpes?
Herpes is a common viral disease caused by two types of viruses (HSV-1) and (HSV-2).
HSV-1 often causes oral herpes, which can result in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth and can be spread by saliva.
HSV-2 commonly known as genital herpes spreads through sexual contact and usually affects your genitals.
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What are the most common symptoms of herpes?
Some people might be asymptomatic; for others, some of the most common symptoms of this infection include:
- Cold sores around the mouth or genitals
- Pain, itching, and burning at the site where the herpes virus entered the body
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Pain during sex
- Abnormal discharge
- Muscle aches
The virus might be spread through direct contact with affected skin or fluids from an infected person’s blisters.
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How accurate is herpes testing?
Herpes tests can vary in accuracy between 70% and 98%, depending on the type of test used. Blood tests carry a slightly higher risk of false positives and false negatives than swab tests because they look for antibodies that develop after initial infection rather than finding the virus directly.
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Do I need to visit a doctor?
No doctor visit needed.
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How do I get my results?
You get your results via email as soon as they are available.
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Does my lab prescription expire?
Your lab prescription never expires.*
- Low prices since 2005
- Same day lab order by email
- Labs within 1 mile of 90% of the US
- Lab test prescriptions NEVER expire*
- Over 650 blood work labs to choose from
- Secure, encrypted & accurate testing
- Low prices since 2005
- Same day lab order by email
- Labs within 1 mile of 90% of the US
- Lab test prescriptions NEVER expire*
- Over 4000 blood work locations + 650 different blood tests to choose from
- Secure, encrypted & accurate testing
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (IgG), with Reflex to HSV-2 Inhibition (Quest Diagnostics) Same day lab order delivery
If recent HSV infection is suspected but the results are negative or equivocal, the assay should be repeated in 4-6 weeks.
Confirmation testing with HSV-2 Inhibition on positive initial results vs the Western Blot:
The HSV-2 IgG Western blot assay has historically been considered the gold standard for identifying HSV-2 IgG reactivity. However, Ashley-Morrow et al have clearly demonstrated that the HSV-2 IgG Western blot is less sensitive than the HerpeSelect HSV-2 IgG assay for detecting IgG seroconversion following newly acquired HSV-2 infection: the median interval between symptom onset and IgG seroconversion is 21 days for the HerpeSelect assay versus 68 days for the Western blot assay.3 There is thus a window of approximately 47 days in which the Western blot assay may give false-negative confirmatory results. In contrast, true-positive specimens in this window are positive (>60% inhibition) in the HSV-2 IgG inhibition assay. In addition to increased sensitivity, the turnaround time for the inhibition assay is shorter than that of the Western blot assay.
If Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (IgG) >1.09, then HSV-2 Inhibition Study will be performed
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (IgG), with Reflex to HSV-2 Inhibition (Quest Diagnostics) Same day lab order delivery
This assay utilizes recombinant type-specific antigens to differentiate HSV-1 from HSV-2 infections. A index positive result cannot distinguish between recent and past infection. If recent HSV infection is suspected but the results are negative or equivocal, the assay should be repeated in 4-6 weeks.
Confirmation testing with HSV-2 Inhibition on positive initial results vs the Western Blot:
The HSV-2 IgG Western blot assay has historically been considered the gold standard for identifying HSV-2 IgG reactivity. However, Ashley-Morrow et al have clearly demonstrated that the HSV-2 IgG Western blot is less sensitive than the HerpeSelect HSV-2 IgG assay for detecting IgG seroconversion following newly acquired HSV-2 infection: the median interval between symptom onset and IgG seroconversion is 21 days for the HerpeSelect assay versus 68 days for the Western blot assay.3 There is thus a window of approximately 47 days in which the Western blot assay may give false-negative confirmatory results. In contrast, true-positive specimens in this window are positive (>60% inhibition) in the HSV-2 IgG inhibition assay. In addition to increased sensitivity, the turnaround time for the inhibition assay is shorter than that of the Western blot assay.
HSV 2 IgG, Type Specific Ab
If Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (IgG) is >1.09, then HSV-2 Inhibition Study will be performed
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II IgG (LabCorp) Same day lab order delivery
The HSV Type II IgG test is appropriate for exposure at least 4 weeks prior to testing. Positive results may require further evaluation by your physician.
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 1 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type I and II IgG (LabCorp) Same day lab order delivery
The HSV Type I and II IgG test is appropriate for exposure at least 4 weeks prior to testing. Positive results may require further evaluation by your physician.
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 1 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
FAQ: Herpes?
What is Genital Herpes?
Genital Herpes is a common disease caused by a virus. The virus is called the Herpes simplex virus, or HSV. It causes painful blisters that break open and form sores in the genital area.
How Does Genital Herpes Occur?
You can become infected with the virus by contact with broken blisters or sores on the genitals, mouth, or rectal area of an infected person. The infection can be passed from person to person during sex. You may spread it with your hands if the virus gets on your hands.Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Usually the virus is inactive, which means it is staying in certain cells and not causing symptoms. However, the virus may become active and cause sores again. The sores may come back often. Outbreaks of sores may occur with physical stress, such as wearing tight clothing, having sex without enough lubrication, or having other illnesses. Emotional stress or menstruation may also cause an outbreak. Most people with Herpes have recurrent infections.Herpes is very contagious when you have sores, yet is most commonly spread by infected partners who are not exhibiting signs of the disease and are unaware of their infection. Genital herpes STD blood testing will help uncover this disease in your system.
What are the Symptoms of Genital Herpes?
Symptoms may occur within 2 weeks after the virus first enters your body and may include:
- Painful sores (blisters) on the genitals (for example, a man's penis or the area around a woman's vagina), thighs, or buttocks
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain when you urinate or have intercourse
- Trouble urinating
- Itching in the genital or anal area
- General discomfort, such as tiredness and muscle aches
- Fever (usually only with the first outbreak of blisters)
- Tender, enlarged lymph nodes in the groin
The sores appear first as tiny clear blisters. Usually they occur in groups of several blisters, but sometimes there may be just a single blister. The blisters usually quickly lose their thin tops. Then they look like small (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch wide), pink or red shallow sores. The blisters may be painful and oozing. They may become covered with a yellowish dried crust.The symptoms of Herpes are usually most severe during the first outbreak. Some people infected with Herpes have no symptoms.
How is Genital Herpes Diagnosed?
When conducting genital herpes STD blood testing, a blood sample is taken from a patient in order for it to be analyzed by a medical laboratory for the presence of the virus. Also, your health care provider may ask about your symptoms and examine you. If you receive positive results from your genital herpes STD blood test, speak with your doctor about any health concerns you might be having.