How Much Does it Cost to Get Tested for Herpes? (HSV-2)

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is caused by either herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or type 1 (HSV-1). In general, HSV-2 infects the genital and anal areas of the body. Typically, it is contracted through penile-vaginal sex or penile-anal sex.

HSV-1 is most known for cold sores near the mouth, but can infect the genital area as a result of transmission from the mouth through oral sex. In addition, HSV-1 can be transmitted genitally by penile-vaginal sex or penile-anal sex.

About one in five women ages 14 to 49 years have genital herpes (HSV-2) while one in 10 men in that same age range have it. Genital herpes is more common in women than men because a woman’s anatomy puts her more at risk. As an example, if the vaginal tissue has tears or abrasions, it’s easier to get genital herpes.

Both types of herpes have spread like wildfire throughout the United States in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, genital herpes is actually the third most common STI. It is estimated that one out of every six people between the ages of 14 and 49 have contracted genital herpes. This massive infection rate is largely due to the way that herpes is spread. The virus is carried in fluids found in easily breakable herpes sores. Having direct contact with those fluids can cause you to contract the infection.

Although this sexually transmitted infection (STI) is often spread when there’s an open sore, you can still get herpes from someone who isn’t showing symptoms or sores through asymptomatic shedding of the virus.^[1] You won’t get herpes from toilet seats, swimming pools, bedding, or from touching objects around you such as silverware, soap, or towels. Bodily fluids must be involved with both parties.

Symptoms of HSV-2 Infection

Although the Herpes Simplex Virus-2 doesn’t usually show symptoms,^[1][2] there are a few you should look out for. Some can be so subtle that they are mistaken for an ingrown hair or acne. Because of this, many people will never realize that they are infected without being tested. If they do exist, herpes symptoms can eventually become severe and very painful without proper treatment.

Anyone with genital herpes (HSV-2) may experience symptoms like pain while urinating or consistent headaches, body aches or flu-like symptoms.^[3] The HSV-2 infection most commonly appears in the form or sores, lesions or blisters affecting the genital area, thighs, buttocks and the area near the anus. These blisters can break and bleed easily before scabbing over.

For men, a penile herpes infection includes uncomfortable symptoms such as sores on or around the penis and swelling or discomfort in the groin nodes.

For women, a vaginal or pelvic herpes infection can cause discomfort similar to a yeast, bacterial or bladder infection. In addition, sores in or around the vagina, vulva or urethra and bleeding between periods may occur. It is especially important for pregnant women to know if they have herpes, as it is possible to pass it to an infant and cause miscarriage, premature birth or prenatal herpes, which can be fatal.^[2]

It is very common to have several outbreaks within the first year of contracting the virus. Since the sores associated with herpes can bleed easily, this infection can put you at an increased risk of acquiring HIV if you come into contact with fluids from the mouth, penis, vagina or rectum during sex with someone who has HIV. The only way to know for sure if you have this sexually transmitted infection is by getting tested.

How Home Herpes Testing Works

As we’ve mentioned, herpes is quite contagious. Keeping that in mind, it is important that people test regardless of whether or not they are experiencing symptoms.

If testing in a doctor’s office or clinic, they’ll take a swab from a sore to test in the lab or take a blood sample to look for genital herpes antibodies. If the antibodies for HSV-2 are found, a person is infected with genital herpes. If HSV-1 antibodies are found, it could be due to cold sores (fever blisters) on the mouth or genital HSV-1. Unfortunately, when most people go to the doctor, their sores have already resolved and taking a swab is not possible.

If exposed to HSV-2, a person could have a positive test for HSV-2 antibodies as soon as a few weeks following exposure. If testing a few weeks after possible exposure to HSV-2, screening could get return a negative result. To be absolutely sure of the negative results, each person should retest for HSV-2 again up to four months after exposure.

myLAB Box offers testing for HSV-2 antibodies which are always due to a sexually transmitted infection. myLAB Box does not offer testing for HSV-1. If you test positive with myLAB Box’s herpes test kit, we will connect you with a free phone consultation with a physician.

Try MyLAB Box’s Discreet at Home Herpes Test Kit

Extragenital Testing

Anyone who has had oral or anal sex should take an extragenital herpes test. In short, The rectal form of herpes is also called “HSV proctitis” in the medical community.

Anal herpes symptoms include:

• Ulcers or sores on or near your anus
• Scabs that cover ulcers that have ruptured or bled
• Bloody stools
• Bloody discharge from the rectum
• Diarrhea
• Pain in the rectum
• White blisters
• Red bumps
• Rashes on your legs, neck, upper body, or trunk

An anal herpes test will tell you if you have the infection. If you test positive, know that there isn’t a cure for herpes but you can get medications to treat it. In some cases, anal herpes has been mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease until an anal herpes test was given.

Oral herpes also requires a separate extragenital test. When combined, these three tests offer the most complete picture of a person’s status.

Genital Herpes Treatment

If the results for a genital herpes test comes back positive for HSV-2, it’s important to know that there is no cure for herpes. It’s a lifelong disease, but no one has to face this alone. Millions of people suffer from genital herpes and researchers are working to find a cure.

Make an appointment with a doctor to discuss medications, how to control outbreaks, as well as what to do—and what to avoid—during an outbreak. Healthcare practitioners can offer medications that relieve the painful symptoms associated with herpes and should lower the risk of passing genital herpes to a partner. Some treatments can even shorten the length of time that each outbreak lasts.

An infected person should always let any partner know about their status. This will let the other person know to take a herpes test as well. Both partners should talk to a doctor about how to prevent passing the infection to others. Additionally, the medical team can explain how to have sex safely during an outbreak. Untreated herpes can lead to more frequent transmission, painful outbreaks and serious health consequences. For example, untreated lesions on the cervix can lead to cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix).

Reviewed by Luis Ferdinand M. Papa, MD, MHA