Testing for herpes

Because the symptoms of genital herpes vary so much – and can be very like the symptoms of other conditions like thrush and jock itch – doctors have to take a swab of the affected area during an outbreak so it can be tested and the diagnosis can be confirmed.

Getting the swab can be a bit tricky, because it means you have to see the doctor while you have symptoms and there is virus on your skin surface, but it is usually well worth the trouble.

On discussion with your doctor he or she may suspect that it is genital herpes. You can take treatment to relieve the symptoms before the test comes back, but you need your results confirmed before any follow-up treatment can be prescribed.

The reason you can’t just have a blood test (which used to be the case) is that a blood test can show that you have a herpes simplex virus, but not where you were infected. A positive result may just mean that you get cold sores.

Only testing a swab from the affected area can definitely confirm that you have genital herpes.