Herpes Test | HSV 1 & 2 Test

Herpes (HSV) 1 & 2 Test

Screen for herpes, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

Test type: In Person

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$99.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

What

Discreetly screen for the presence of Herpes (HSV) 1 & 2.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

This test screens for herpes, an STD that can cause painful sores around the mouth or genitals. The test checks for both types of herpes: herpes type-1 most often causes oral herpes and herpes type-2 most often causes genital herpes, although herpes type-1 is responsible for an increasing proportion of genital infections. Although there is no cure for herpes, treatment can help relieve the symptoms and prevent future episodes.

This test may be useful if you:

Want to determine if you have developed antibodies for either HSV-1 or HSV-2
Are a person with recurrent genital symptoms
Have a prior clinical diagnosis of genital herpes without laboratory confirmation
Are a person whose partner has known genital herpes
Are a person with multiple sex partners
Are a person with a HIV infection
Are a man who has sex with men

PLEASE NOTE

Herpes Simplex Virus – 2 serologic screening is not recommended among the general population. Additionally, if an active lesion (sore) is present, please seek further testing from your doctor as direct detection of virus (by methods such a culture, PCR, or DFA) is preferred.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are 2 different viral infections that may cause oral or genital herpes. HSV-1 is most often responsible for oral herpes (cold sores) but can spread to the genitals through oral sex. HSV-2 is most often responsible for genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection that may lead to multiple painful ulcers on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. People with HSV may never have symptoms, which makes it very easy to spread from person to person.

There is no cure for oral or genital herpes, but there are treatment options that can help shorten or prevent outbreaks. Taking medication as prescribed may also reduce the chance of spreading HSV to other people. If left untreated, you may continue to experience symptoms.

People with HSV often do not have symptoms, which makes it easy to pass the virus to other people. Those who do have symptoms may see blisters around the mouth, genitals, or rectum around 2 to 6 weeks after being exposed.

Symptoms may include:

Tingling, burning, or itching before the blisters appear
Painful, fluid-filled blisters around the site of infection
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, or body aches

These symptoms can be associated with other conditions. Regardless of your results, please discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results indicate possible infection, you will receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results. This physician may be able to prescribe medication, if appropriate.

How it works

In-person
In-home sample collection

Buy a lab test & schedule an appointment

No doctor visit required for purchase. Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Schedule an appointment

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available.

View results

Get physician support

Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Buy a lab test
+ in-home sample collection

If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $55 fee.

Buy now

Schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

View results

In-home sample collection is not available in all locations.
Is in-home sample collection available near me?

The CDC estimated that there are approximately 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the United States in a single year. Nationwide, 11.9 % of persons aged 14 to 49 years have HSV-2 infection (12.1% when adjusted for age).*

FAQs

How do I know if I have herpes?

It is not always possible to know if you have herpes because you may or may not have symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

Tingling, burning, or itching before the blisters appear
Painful, fluid-filled blisters around the site of infection
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, or body aches

Often, the symptoms are mild and may be mistaken for other conditions such as pimples, warts, or ingrown hairs.

Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have herpes or any other sexually transmitted infection.

Can herpes be treated?

While there is no cure for herpes, it can be treated with prescription medication. Even though the virus will remain in your body, medication will help to lessen your symptoms and decrease the number of outbreaks.

After your results are ready, you’ll have the option to talk with a healthcare provider at no additional cost to you to discuss next steps. You may also be eligible for HSV 2 treatment. It’s important to share your results with a healthcare provider who can offer further guidance about your health.

I'm pregnant. Can I pass herpes to my baby?

It is possible to pass herpes to your unborn child. The virus can infect your baby before and during childbirth and cause neonatal herpes—a herpes infection in a newborn baby. Neonatal herpes is rare but can lead to serious illness and is fatal in some cases. If you have herpes, your healthcare provider may put you on medication as you get closer to your delivery date in order to protect both you and your baby.

How do I protect myself from getting herpes?

The best way to protect yourself is to practice safe sex. Using condoms or dental dams during sex will lower the risk of getting herpes. You may also consider:

Asking your partner if they have any STDs
Avoiding sex with someone who has sores on their genitals
Avoiding oral sex with someone who has sores on their mouth or lips

How often should I get checked for herpes?

If you do have symptoms, or if you had sex with someone who has genital herpes, you may consider getting tested or talking to your healthcare provider.

How common is HSV?

About 70% of adults have been infected by HSV-1 and have antibodies against the virus. About 20% to 50% of adults will have antibodies against the HSV-2 virus.

Does HSV ever go away?

About 70% of adults have been infected by HSV-1 and have antibodies against the virus. About 20 to 50% of adults will have antibodies against the HSV-2 virus. HSV stays in your system once you have been infected. It may be "asleep" (dormant), and cause no symptoms, or it may flare up and cause symptoms. This test cannot tell whether you are having a flare-up. Positive results can be seen in persons who have never had symptoms. In addition, a negative result does not rule out infection with HSV.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

^*Genital Herpes – CDC Detailed Fact Sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes-detailed.htm

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Herpes (HSV) 1 & 2 Test