How Do You Test for Herpes?

Herpes is a common but often misunderstood sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects millions of people worldwide.

Herpes, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes painful sores around the mouth or genital region, affects one in seven in Canada, and the majority don’t know they carry the virus. Although herpes remains in the body for life once infected, it doesn’t always cause an outbreak of sores.

Sores around the genitals (including the vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt and inner thighs) are called genital herpes. And sores on your lips, mouth, and throat are called oral herpes, which are often also called cold sores or fever blisters.

Like all STIs, genital herpes can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person, even if they have no visible sores or signs of infection. It can also be passed on from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

While there isn’t a vaccine or cure for herpes at this time, antiviral medication can help soothe symptoms and mitigate recurring outbreaks. In this article, we explain how you can be tested for herpes if you believe you have been exposed to the STI.

The difference between herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) 

There are two types of the herpes virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes, and HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes; however, both types can also infect either area, and there has been a recent increase in HSV-1 herpes causing genital herpes. For example, if someone with a cold sore gives you oral sex, you can get HSV-1 on your genitals. Similarly, if you perform oral sex on someone with genital herpes, you can get HSV-2 around your mouth.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Some people infected with the herpes virus will experience:

• A tingling sensation in the genital area within a few days or weeks of having sex with an infected person
• Itching in the genital area within a few days or weeks of having sex with an infected person
• A cluster of blisters that will burst and leave painful sores that last two to three weeks
• Tender lumps (lymph nodes) in the groin region 
• A fever, headache and/or muscular pain 

The good news is that the first outbreak is typically the worst, and once the sores have healed, the virus transitions into a dormant stage. However, people can experience recurring outbreaks, which are typically less intense and shorter than the initial outbreak.

Common triggers of recurring outbreaks

There are a few factors that can increase your chances of having more frequent and/or severe outbreaks, including:

• Stress
• Menstrual cycle 
• Illness 
• Fever
• Surgery
• Sun exposure 
• Sexual activity 
• Pregnancy
• Medication use

Understanding herpes testing

Genital herpes are often mistaken for other conditions like fungal infections, shaving-induced folliculitis–inflamed hair follicles–or an allergic reaction to a product of fabric. At other times, people don’t experience any symptoms at all and therefore don’t realize they have herpes. That’s why it’s important to visit your doctor or a walk-in clinic for regular STI testing. 

Your healthcare provider can perform an external exam on the genital region to look for sores and swab them to test for herpes. It’s important to do this test in the first 48 hours; once sores become scabbed, they shed less virus and the swab becomes less accurate. 

If no sores are present, your doctor could offer a blood test (HSV antibody test); however, it only tells you if you have been infected with HSV recently or at some point in the past. It cannot tell you if your current symptom is herpes (swab needed) or whether you will have an outbreak in the future. If that’s you, know you’re certainly not alone—about 70% of adults have HSV-1 antibodies, and anywhere between 20% to 50% of adults have HSV-2 antibodies.

Even when you aren’t experiencing an outbreak, meaning no sores are present, you can pass the virus to someone through sexual activity or even through close contact. So, you’ll want to avoid:

• Any sexual activity (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) until the sores have healed
• Kissing if you have sores inside or around the mouth
• Touching other parts of your body (like eyes, mouth, or genitals) after touching the sores to avoid spreading the herpes virus to other parts of your body (if you come into contact with sores, wash your hands with soap and water)
• Sharing a toothbrush, towels, utensils, dishes and lip products

What to do if you have positive results

If test results from a swab test or blood (HSV antibody) test come back positive, see a healthcare provider as soon as you can. They can prescribe antiviral medication, which will help soothe painful sores and other symptoms you may be experiencing, and can also help mitigate future outbreaks.

You’ll also want to:

• Keep the area where the sores are clean and dry
• Wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural materials (like cotton), which are less likely to irritate sores
• Inform your sexual partner(s) of your infection and suggest they get tested

How to prevent contracting and transmitting herpes

Here are a few ways you can prevent getting herpes and giving it to someone else:

• If you have any potential STI symptoms (a rash, sores, tingling, itching, fever, etc.), see a healthcare provider for a test as soon as possible and avoid sexual activity
• Always wear a condom, and use it correctly (please note that even when worn, some areas of the skin are left unprotected, and therefore condoms cannot fully prevent against STIs)
• Have an open dialogue with your partner(s) about their STI status and when they were last tested
• Get regular STI screening

You should always speak to a healthcare provider if you have questions about STIs. However, with 6.5 million people without a family doctor, this isn’t always easy. We can help. With our app, you can speak to a primary care provider — like doctors or nurse practitioners — within minutes, 24/7/365. 

They can talk to you about any symptoms you may have, offer advice on having safe sex or talking to a partner about a herpes diagnosis, and help you find a place to go for testing. All conversations take place over secure text, audio, or video call, so you can get the help you need on your terms. 

Understanding and managing herpes can feel overwhelming, but remember, you are not alone. Millions of people live healthy, fulfilling lives with herpes, and taking proactive steps—like getting tested, communicating openly with partners, and seeking appropriate treatment—can make all the difference. By staying informed and taking care of your sexual health, you’re empowering yourself and others to navigate this journey with confidence and compassion.

Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulty breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.