Is It Herpes or Something Else?
The 5 Best Herpes Test Kits For 2024
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Testing for herpes used to mean a trip to the doctor's office. But thanks to at-home herpes test kits, you can receive your results privately in just a few days.
Genital herpes is caused by two viruses called herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Globally, approximately 67% of people younger than 50 years oldhave HSV-1, while 13% of people ages 15 to 49 years have HSV-2.
An in-person appointment with a doctor could require a few different tests, including a virus antigen detection test, and/or an antibody test. This could require multiple pricks or trips to the doctor to accomplish.
An at-home test kit, on the other hand, can be done by yourself in private.
You can order a herpes test kit online — which may include a swab test or finger-prick blood test — and send the sample back in the mail. Most companies will send your results within 5 business days.
When researching at-home herpes tests, we looked for options with fast and accurate results and excellent customer feedback to compile our list of best buys.
Here are the criteria we considered:
FYI: We did include a couple of options that may call for you to leave home to pick up your test kit, so they may not fall 100% into the at-home category. But they are solid options, nonetheless.
Best herpes test subscriptionWhen you join the LetsGetChecked subscription service, testing is easy and convenient as you receive everything you need to take your sample in a discrete kit through the mail. Plus, you'll save 25% on the full price of the kits.
There are also helpful videos on the website that explain the instructions in clear, straightforward language so you can be confident you're taking your sample correctly.
Like all other testing services on our list, LetsGetChecked is privacy and HIPAA compliant. Your results will be available online in 2 to 5 business days. Should your results be positive, you can contact one of the nursing team members who can help you determine a treatment plan.
What our tester saysOne of our freelance writers, Breanna Mona, was given the opportunity to test the LetsGetChecked Herpes Test to see firsthand what the testing kit process was, whether the test was difficult to perform, and how long it would take to get the results. Here's what she found.
Breanna appreciated how straightforward the ordering process was and shared that "the process was simple and took very little time to complete." After placing the order, it took about a week to for her to receive the kit, and the actual test results came back in 1 to 2 business days.
But she thought the blood collection process could be an issue for some users. Since Breanna had some experience testing out similar kits, she had already learned the best way to collect enough blood for the test. But she thought users who were new to finger-prick tests might find it difficult to collect enough blood.
Overall, Breanna said this test might be a good match for someone who wants to skip a visit to the doctor, someone who may not have insurance to cover a doctor's visit, or anyone who would prefer to keep the test and results private.
One of our freelance writers, Breanna Mona, was given the opportunity to test the LetsGetChecked Herpes Test to see firsthand what the testing kit process was, whether the test was difficult to perform, and how long it would take to get the results. Here's what she found.
Breanna appreciated how straightforward the ordering process was and shared that "the process was simple and took very little time to complete." After placing the order, it took about a week to for her to receive the kit, and the actual test results came back in 1 to 2 business days.
But she thought the blood collection process could be an issue for some users. Since Breanna had some experience testing out similar kits, she had already learned the best way to collect enough blood for the test. But she thought users who were new to finger-prick tests might find it difficult to collect enough blood.
Overall, Breanna said this test might be a good match for someone who wants to skip a visit to the doctor, someone who may not have insurance to cover a doctor's visit, or anyone who would prefer to keep the test and results private.
Pros & consSTD Check has more than 4,500 testing sites nationwide. You can choose an individual test like HSV-1 or HSV-2 for $45 each. You can also order a 10-test panel, which includes the most common STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
The company is known for quick test results, which are sent to your online account in 1–2 days.
Once you complete your order online, you can select a local testing center based on your ZIP code. According to the company, in-person tests only take 5 minutes.
Your test and results will be completely confidential. If your test results are positive, a physician can answer questions about your diagnosis.
Pros & consFor $169, people with a vagina can test for six common STIs at once, including HSV-2. Tests require both a finger prick and a vaginal swab.
For the same price, people with a penis can also test for herpes by purchasing the company's STD Test for Men. It looks for the same six STIs as the other test, but sample types include a finger prick and a urine sample instead of a vaginal swab.
The kit includes prepaid shipping both ways, digital results, and detailed instructions. Once your kit arrives, you'll need to register it on Everlywell's website using the unique ID number included in your box.
In your kit, you'll receive all you need to collect a finger-prick sample and either a vaginal swab packet or a urine cup and urine sample tube.
After shipping your sample, you'll receive digital results on your account within a few days. If your results are positive, a board certified physician in your state will contact you at no additional cost to discuss your case and prescribe medication if necessary. Everlywell will also send you a personalized report detailing your results.
The site is HIPAA compliant and physician reviewed. This means your information is kept private, and medical information is approved by independent, board certified healthcare professionals.
Pros & consWith a finger prick, myLAB Box's at-home genital herpes test is pretty straightforward. Online lab results are provided within 2 to 5 days.
When you order a kit, you'll receive materials to take your finger-prick sample in discreet packaging. It also comes with simple instructions and a prepaid envelope to send the sample off for testing.
If your results are positive, you can schedule a free consultation with one of myLAB Box's doctors. The company works with labs that are certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Act of 1988 (CLIA) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Plus, the website itself is HIPAA compliant.
Testing is not yet available in New York. The company is waiting for its state application to be approved.
Pros & consPriority STD has a 4.8 rating on Trustpilot with more than 2,600 reviews.
You can order the Priority STD individual herpes test online or by phone, which normally requires a waiting period of at least 12 days after exposure.
After scheduling an order, you'll be directed to find a lab near you. There are more than 4,000 labs to choose from, and you can use the site's online scheduling system to make an appointment.
STI test results are available online through a secure patient login, typically within 1–3 days of collection.
Pros & consGenital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can contract it by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the STI.
HSV-1 can also cause oral herpes, which may lead to sores or blisters around the mouth. You can contract oral herpes by kissing or engaging in oral sex with someone who already has it.
Some cases of oral herpes (HSV-1) can lead to genital herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) since the virus can spread from the saliva of someone with the infection into your body through oral sex.
It generally takes 4–7 days for herpes symptoms to appear. In addition to sores or blisters — which are called herpes lesions — around your mouth or genitals, other possible symptoms may include:
Some people don't experience any symptoms at all, but they can still transmit the infection to others.
The popularity of at-home testing has increased over the past several years, and there are many reasons for this.
At-home herpes testing offers convenience and privacy and can be less expensive than in-person testing. Instead of making an appointment with your doctor for an in-person visit, you order the test kit online, collect your sample at your convenience, and mail it to the lab.
Collection methods are typically the same with both kinds of testing — you'll either do a genital swab, urine collection, or blood sample.
Keep in mind that some at-home test kits allow a finger-prick blood sample that you can collect at home. But for others, you may have to visit an in-person lab to have your blood drawn by a professional.
The downside of some at-home testing is that you may not have a doctor to help you interpret your results. In some cases, sample results are sent right to you, and it's up to you to interpret the information.
With herpes testing, you'll generally get a positive or negative, so the results aren't as complicated as some other types of tests. But having a doctor's guidance can be helpful if you don't know the proper next steps to take.
That being said, we recommend that with all the at-home herpes tests you have a physician follow-up or phone consultation with the clinical team when you get your results.
If you receive a positive result, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor to talk through treatment and next steps, regardless of whether you received follow-up care.
It's important to note that while testing for STIs is essential for your health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that only people with herpes symptoms test for it.
Otherwise, people without symptoms or exposure may have inaccurate test results. The CDC states that those with a low risk for infection have a higher chance of getting the wrong test results.
It's also a good idea to test for herpes if you have been exposed to it or have been sexually active with a partner who has a history of herpes.
After receiving a positive test result, following up with your healthcare professional for fast treatment is the best next step.
If you're considering getting tested for herpes, you may wonder how to choose between the various options. Here are some things to consider:
Your HSV test results will likely be reported as negative (sometimes called "normal") or positive (sometimes called "abnormal"):
If your test results are positive for HSV, talk with a healthcare professional about your next steps.
Talk with a healthcare professional if you notice any sores on or around your genitals. Other STIs, like syphilis, can look like herpes but need different treatments. Treatment is needed to prevent complications and transmission.
Your doctor will let you know whether you should test for herpes or another STI, and they can help you get treatment if needed.
Are at-home herpes test kits accurate?These tests use the same type of samples used in a doctor's office. The accuracy of a herpes test primarily depends on when you get tested.
These tests use the same type of samples used in a doctor's office. The accuracy of a herpes test primarily depends on when you get tested.
When should I get tested for herpes?If you haven't had an initial outbreak, the best time to get tested for herpes is 12 days after exposure. This is because your body will have had time to produce antibodies that can be detected on a test.
A blood test can determine whether you have these antibodies.
Swabs, on the other hand, can detect the virus directly from an active herpes lesion.
If you haven't had an initial outbreak, the best time to get tested for herpes is 12 days after exposure. This is because your body will have had time to produce antibodies that can be detected on a test.
A blood test can determine whether you have these antibodies.
Swabs, on the other hand, can detect the virus directly from an active herpes lesion.
How can I prevent transmitting herpes?Although latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmitting STIs, condoms don't prevent herpes transmission. This is because not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a condom.
If you're experiencing an active outbreak, you can prevent herpes transmission by:
Taking a daily antiviral herpes medication can also help prevent transmission, shorten outbreaks, and manage symptoms.
Although latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmitting STIs, condoms don't prevent herpes transmission. This is because not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a condom.
If you're experiencing an active outbreak, you can prevent herpes transmission by:
Taking a daily antiviral herpes medication can also help prevent transmission, shorten outbreaks, and manage symptoms.
Are at-home herpes test kits private?Yes. All the tests listed here are completely confidential and private.
Your results won't be reported to your insurance company and, therefore, won't be placed on your permanent medical records.
The package you receive will only have the shipping label — no test name or visuals that indicate what it's for. These online platforms are also HIPAA compliant.
Yes. All the tests listed here are completely confidential and private.
Your results won't be reported to your insurance company and, therefore, won't be placed on your permanent medical records.
The package you receive will only have the shipping label — no test name or visuals that indicate what it's for. These online platforms are also HIPAA compliant.
What should I do if my herpes test results are positive?Many at-home services have independent physicians or nurses reach out to people with positive test results. They'll discuss your results with you and suggest a plan of action, possibly including medication.
If your results are positive, it's important to let any recent sexual partners know so they can also get tested.
Many at-home services have independent physicians or nurses reach out to people with positive test results. They'll discuss your results with you and suggest a plan of action, possibly including medication.
If your results are positive, it's important to let any recent sexual partners know so they can also get tested.
When should I talk with a doctor about herpes?If you have a primary care doctor who you regularly visit, you can share your results with them to provide better insight into your next steps.
If you don't have a primary care doctor, you can consult with a physician or nurse from the testing site about treatment options.
If you've been treating your symptoms with medication and are still in pain or discomfort, reach out to a healthcare professional.
If you have a primary care doctor who you regularly visit, you can share your results with them to provide better insight into your next steps.
If you don't have a primary care doctor, you can consult with a physician or nurse from the testing site about treatment options.
If you've been treating your symptoms with medication and are still in pain or discomfort, reach out to a healthcare professional.
Will I have to pay for a herpes test out of pocket?You'll have to check with your insurance network to see whether at-home STI tests are covered.
Insurance does typically cover them, but sites like Everlywell recommend verifying the purchase with your insurance.
Additionally, some networks may reimburse you for your purchase.
However, most at-home testing sites aren't currently partnered with any insurance companies, which means you'll have to reach out yourself.
If you don't have insurance, you'll likely have to pay for the test out of pocket. Some sites like Priority STD don't accept insurance, so it's a flat rate of $99 regardless of your coverage.
You'll have to check with your insurance network to see whether at-home STI tests are covered.
Insurance does typically cover them, but sites like Everlywell recommend verifying the purchase with your insurance.
Additionally, some networks may reimburse you for your purchase.
However, most at-home testing sites aren't currently partnered with any insurance companies, which means you'll have to reach out yourself.
If you don't have insurance, you'll likely have to pay for the test out of pocket. Some sites like Priority STD don't accept insurance, so it's a flat rate of $99 regardless of your coverage.
Can you be exposed to herpes and not get it?Yes. Research suggests that in couples where only one partner had genital herpes, the other partner contracted genital herpes within 1 year in only 5% to 10% of couples.
You can prevent transmission by:
Yes. Research suggests that in couples where only one partner had genital herpes, the other partner contracted genital herpes within 1 year in only 5% to 10% of couples.
You can prevent transmission by:
There's no current cure for herpes, but treatment can prevent or shorten outbreaks and manage symptoms.
Getting tested can prevent oral herpes from spreading to the genital area. It can also protect your sexual partners from contracting the virus.
Bonnie Azoulay Elmann is a freelance writer with 6 years of experience. She's written for Glamour, Marie Claire, Health, and more publications. You can find her work here.
Shocking Revelation: During Richard Dawson's Tenure, Family Feud Contestants Had To Get Herpes Test On Set
According to a new book, Family Feud contestants had to get herpes tests on set while Richard Dawson was the host.Writer Kliph Nesteroff reveals in Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars that the game show had to order herpes tests for participants because the late host liked to kiss female contestants on the mouth.The game show instituted a new rule, according to a report from the Pacific Daily News, mandating that competitors, male and female, "undergo a mouth test with a magnifying glass from medical distaff." Nesteroff describes a contestant's experience in which, after entering a dressing room with the test supplies, a production assistant said, "Okay, everybody lines up for your herpes tests." Congratulations!You have successfully cast your vote
Login to view result Testing commenced in response to viewer concerns regarding Dawson's 1976–1985 original hosting of Family Feud. In a letter that appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, the show was accused of "promiscuous kissing" and the possibility of contracting diseases was described as "too loathsome to recount.""A lot of the remarks in the comment section of YouTube videos from that era of Family Feud that show Richard Dawson kissing the ladies say things like, 'Well, it was a different time.'" That was the way men used to be. It was an alternative era. "There was less sensitivity among people," Nesteroff tells PEOPLE. "And here we have more proof to the contrary, showing a wide range of complaints."
Here's how the Kardashians gained success and popularity in the industryThe Kardashian family have done it all to get the popularity status in Hollywood. From Kim's and Paris's connection to Kourtney doing the Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive show. However, it is said that Kim's sex tape with her ex-boyfriend Ray-J in 2007 was the actual slide for the family to gain popularity. The girls along with their Mama Kris Jenner have developed their individual businesses to become rich and popular.
Outrageous examines entertainment censorship from the Vaudeville era to the present. Whether exploring racism in theatre from the 1800s or audience outcry over the pregnancy plot in I Love Lucy, Nesteroff demonstrates how censorship and the justification for it have long been a feature of the business.He was taken aback by an incident in which Carol Burnett, during an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show, held up a wristband to call for peace following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. However, CBS cut her speech short.
"She was concerned that people would think that she had said something that was much worse than that," Nesteroff says. "If they bleeped her, [if] they deleted what she said, well, it must've been some horrible statement. Must've been some terrible vulgarism. But she was merely calling for world peace."Nesteroff claims that nearly every TV program, including Laverne & Shirley, Alf, and The Bionic Woman, has complaints. He left out a story about The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the host's Aunt Blabby character from the book.
"A campaign was started by a senior citizens' rights group, demanding that he give up playing the role. According to Nesteroff, "They felt it was demeaning to the elderly and perpetuated stereotypes of seniors as weak, foolish, and incompetent."
Former stand-up comedian Nesteroff claims that comedians don't consider whether anything in their material is "off limits." "I think people outside of comedy realize or understand that stand-up comedy and funny people operate in a much more organic manner," the comedian claims. Because it appears to take a great deal of work and thought for someone who isn't funny to be funny. On the other hand, humour is a natural talent that comes from instinct." According to Nesteroff, our perceptions of censorship and entertainment have changed over time. Thanksgiving tensions rise at Bloodline table: Jey Uso speaks out on family feudTensions within The Bloodline faction escalate during Thanksgiving as Jey Uso finds himself caught between his brothers, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. Jey excludes his brothers from the holiday festivities, emphasizing the importance of spending time with his father, Rikishi. The return of Randy Orton creates further discomfort for Jey as he contemplates teaming up with his former rival in WarGames alongside Cody Rhodes.
Nesteroff predicts that 40 years from now, the hysteria surrounding whatever it is that is currently causing hysteria will seem just as absurd as it does today when it comes to Elvis Presley, the Beatles, or The Simpsons. "Because those people were very serious back then. Therefore, I believe that whatever the issue is— drag queens, textbooks, or whatever the ire is about— will appear completely ridiculous in the future, which implies that it is absurd now.'Family Feud' Contestants Had To Take Herpes Tests When Richard Dawson Hosted: Book
Survey says … herpes!
"Family Feud" contestants allegedly had to take herpes tests during former host Richard Dawson's reign.
The comedian — who died at 79 in 2012 — had a knack for kissing female players on the mouth during the show's episodes. And in order to keep everyone sanitary, tests for the oral sores went down on set, according to the new book "Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars."
Author Kliph Nesteroff penned that the iconic trivia show endorsed the new policy and had both male and female contestants "undergo a mouth test with a magnifying glass from medical distaff."
Nesteroff recounted one player's alleged experience, who recalled one production assistant announcing, "OK, everybody line up for your herpes tests," in a dressing room.
Dawson was the emcee of the game show from 1976 to 1985, and from 1994 to 1995.
The assessments were implemented when a string of competitors complained about Dawson's actions.
Richard Dawson (front) died in 2012 at 79. Courtesy Everett Collection"Several game show fans were repulsed [by Dawson]," Nesteroff scribed.
A letter was then published in the Philadelphia Daily News, which slammed the show for having "promiscuous kissing."
The memo read: "As a physician, I have wondered about the risks Richard Dawson takes in kissing every female contestant on 'Family Feud.'"
The TV host had a habit of kissing female contestants on the show."The diseases that could be transmitted by promiscuous kissing are too long and too loathsome to recount here. Does Dawson or the producers take any caution to prevent infection? Are none of them informed?" the letter asked.
Nesteroff spoke to People about his new book and gave some insight into how history has changed the show's landscape.
Dawson (front) was the emcee of the game show from 1976 to 1985, and from 1994 to 1995."When you watch clips of that era of 'Family Feud' on YouTube and you see Richard Dawson kissing the ladies, a lot of the comments in the comment section will say things like, 'Well, it was a different time. That's the way men were back then. It was a different time. People weren't so sensitive,'" he said.
He went on: "And here, again, is evidence to the contrary that all kinds of people were complaining."
Dawson revealed to the Television Academy in 2010 why he kissed the players.
The "Hogan's Heroes" alum, who died from complications of esophageal cancer, began handing out smooches because one female contestant was so tense that she couldn't name a vegetable.
"I said, 'I'm gonna do something that my mom would do to me whenever I had a problem of any kind,'" he said at the time. "And I kissed her on the cheek, and I said, 'That's for luck.' And she said, 'Asparagus.'"
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