Herpes Test Online

Like most sexually transmitted diseases, herpes (whether oral or genital) doesn’t always have visible symptoms. But when they do, they tend to follow a pattern. Some of the most common indications of herpes infection include:

Oral Herpes (HSV-1) Symptoms:

• Tingling, itching, or burning sensation around your mouth.
• Cold sores or fever blisters on the lips, around the mouth, and sometimes on the face or inside the mouth. These blisters can break open, leaving painful sores that eventually crust over and heal.

Genital Herpes (HSV-2) Symptoms:

• Similar tingling, itching, or burning sensation in the genital or anal area.
• Blisters or ulcers on the genitals, buttocks, thighs, or anal area.
• Sometimes, genital herpes can also cause pain during urination or an unusual discharge.

For both types, the first outbreak might come with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

However, as mentioned, not everyone with herpes will have noticeable symptoms. Some people might have very mild symptoms that they don’t even notice or none at all. The frequency of the outbreaks can also vary, with some patients experiencing recurrence every now and then.

While it’s impossible to get a herpes test online, arranging an online herpes test referral is very much doable. Here’s how:

1. Create an Account: Visit the Instant Consult website or download our app. You’ll need to register and set up an account to begin.
2. Book a Consultation: Once registered, click on the “Request a Consult” button. You can find this on our app’s dashboard or our site’s homepage. The first available doctor will connect with you within 15 minutes.
3. Chat With Your Doctor: During your video consultation, discuss your symptoms or concerns with our healthcare professional. It’s important to be open and honest to receive the best care.
4. Receive Your Referral: If your doctor determines that a herpes test is appropriate, they will issue you a referral right after the consultation. You can use this at a testing facility of your choice.
5. Follow-Up Consultation: Your herpes test results will be sent directly to us. But no worries. We will immediately notify you once we have your results. You will then need to book a follow-up consultation where our doctor will explain your results and the next steps you need to take. Depending on your results, they may issue an online prescription, refer you to a specialist, or issue pathology/x-ray requests.

Diagnosing herpes can be straightforward when symptoms are present, but it can also be a bit tricky, especially in the absence of visible signs. A combination of physical examinations, swab tests, and blood tests might be necessary to diagnose the infection.

When Symptoms Are Present

If there are blisters or sores, a healthcare provider can often diagnose herpes through a physical examination. They might take a swab from a sore and send it for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or a viral culture, which are pretty accurate in detecting the herpes simplex virus.

Without Visible Symptoms

Diagnosing herpes without symptoms can be more challenging. In such cases, antibody tests can be helpful. These health tests can determine if someone has a herpes infection, even if they haven’t had an outbreak. They usually involve a simple finger prick to draw out blood samples for testing.