• FREE follow-up GP appointment If you test positive, we can arrange a free consultation with a GP, who can assess your results and discuss treatment options if appropriate.
  • Fast and accurate results Same-day bookings available, with fast, reliable results from a UKAS-accredited lab.
  • 100% confidential Results are delivered through our secure portal, and our name will not be shown on your bank account statements.
  • Clinics nationwide or home testing We have more than 100 clinics, plus home visits or self-testing available.

Private Genital Herpes Tests

Genital herpes is a very common sexually transmitted infection in the UK, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Symptoms can often be mild or non-existent, which means that they can go undiagnosed and be passed on without knowing. If you think you may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms, testing is important to help you manage the condition effectively and reduce the risk of transmission.

Your Sexual Health offer a wide range of private genital herpes testing options that provide accurate results with a fast turnaround time. Our tests are available in-clinic, by postal kit, or with an at-home visit. We prioritise discretion and confidentiality at every stage, providing confidence and support throughout the process.

ABOUT OUR SERVICE

What Makes Us the Trusted Choice for Private Genital Herpes Testing?

Your Sexual Health is one of the UK’s leading providers of private sexual health testing, with over 100 clinics nationwide – providing fast, accurate results that you can trust. We’re also proud to be the only provider in the UK to offer a free private GP consultation should you test positive.

Our clinics are carefully selected to provide discreet, professional, and confidential genital herpes testing you can trust. As this is a general health clinic, nobody will know the reason for your visit.

You can book with confidence knowing your privacy is protected at every stage.

Find out more about Your Sexual Health here.

 

How Our Service Works

Your Sexual Health offer a wide range of private genital herpes tests available as instant, home,  or in-clinic tests, all of which deliver a fast turnaround time and accurate results that you can trust.

Once your sample is collected, it will be sent to our laboratory for testing. Our laboratory is one of the most prestigious UKAS-accredited laboratories in the UK, offering a fast turnaround time. As soon as we have your results, you’ll be notified using your preferred contact method, and your results will be uploaded to our secure portal.

To find out more about any of our private genital herpes tests, contact our customer service team on 0161 660 2599 or by using the Live Chat Function.

 

What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes?

It’s important to understand that genital herpes symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some people will experience no symptoms at all, while some can see significant problems.

 

Symptoms of genital herpes can include:

  • Tingling, itching, or burning sensation in the genital or anal area
  • Small fluid-filled blisters around the genitals, anus, thighs, or buttocks
  • Painful open sores or ulcers that form after the blisters have burst
  • Scabbing and healing of sores over time
  • Pain or discomfort when urinating
  • Unusual genital discharge
  • Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin
  • Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, and muscle aches (more common during the first outbreak)
  • General soreness, redness, or irritation in the affected area
  • Recurrent outbreaks, often milder than the initial episode

 

For more information on genital herpes symptoms, read these guides:

 

How Long After Exposure Should I Test for Genital Herpes?

How long after exposure you should test for genital herpes will depend on whether you’ve had symptoms or not. If you develop blisters, sores, or any of the other visible signs listed above, testing can be carried out as soon as possible while the symptoms are present.

This enables you to take a swab test, where the swab is taken directly from a lesion, which is the most accurate way to confirm an active herpes infection.

If you don’t have any symptoms, blood tests can detect the herpes antibodies. However, these antibodies typically take some time to develop after exposure. Testing too soon may lead to false negative results, so it’s recommended to wait at least a month after exposure for more accurate results.

 

How Long Does a Genital Herpes Test Take?

We have a range of testing options that will impact your genital herpes test turnaround time. Our standard Herpes Simplex Urine or Swab Sample Test takes 5 working days from when your sample is received by our lab.

On the other end of the spectrum, with our Instant Herpes I & II Test, you’ll get the results in under 30 minutes, while you’re still at the clinic.

 

How To Test For Genital Herpes?

Testing for genital herpes is a straightforward process and can be completed in the comfort of your own home or at a clinic. It will usually involve taking either a swab sample from a visible sore, a urine test, or a blood test that can detect the HSV antibodies. 

Swab tests are the most accurate if there’s an active outbreak. Urine tests can be recommended where there are no open sores, but you have urethral symptoms such as painful urination. If there are no active outbreaks, blood tests can identify the infections even without symptoms. 

For detailed guidance on the different testing methods and what to expect, see our full guide on how to test for herpes.

 

Private Genital Herpes Testing FAQs

How Does The Testing Process Work?

Private STD testing may involve blood, urine or swab samples, depending on the service you select.

Blood Samples

Blood samples are taken by trained healthcare professionals at our clinics and partner phlebotomy locations. A mobile home visit option is also available at checkout.

Urine and Swab Samples

Urine and swab samples can be provided either in the clinic or collected at home. This will depend on the service you select at the time of booking.

Once collected, samples are sent to our UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. Depending on the clinic location, samples are dispatched either via secure courier or Tracked 24 Royal Mail.

You will receive a secure notification when your results are available. If you would like us to arrange a private GP consultation, please contact our team by telephone or email once your results have been released. We will not automatically schedule consultations without your request.

 

Is Your Sexual Health Service Confidential?

Yes, the services provided by Your Sexual Health are confidential. Your privacy is our priority.

Your test results remain confidential between you, Your Sexual Health and our laboratory. Results are not shared with the clinic location. Results are delivered securely through your private online portal.

We will only contact you regarding your appointment, your results, or to request feedback on your experience.

We do not disclose your results to any third party. Patients are responsible for sharing their results at their own discretion.

Your results are not automatically added to your NHS medical record. Information is only shared with your GP if you specifically request it.

We retain data only for as long as required under UK clinical and data protection regulations, after which it is securely deleted.

 

Can I Get Treatment if I Have an STI?

Yes. We can arrange a consultation with a private GP for any positive tests, free of charge. They can arrange prescriptions for you and provide advice on treatment, precautions, timelines, and follow-up tests.

 

Will You Tell My Doctor?

No. Our service is completely confidential between Your Sexual Health, the clinic you choose, our laboratory, and yourself. Should your test return a positive result, we can refer you to our partner medical organisation for treatment and a consultation, so that you don’t need to tell your regular GP if you don’t want to.

 

Will the Test Go On My NHS Record?

No, your test and results are not automatically added to your NHS medical record.

We do not disclose your results to any third party. If you wish to share your results with your GP, this must be done at your request.

 

Can I Speak to Someone From Your Sexual Health After My Test?

Yes. Our team of trained experts are on hand to explain your results and talk you through what they mean. If you require it, we can recommend an independent private GP to you at no extra cost.

 

What Should I Do Whilst Waiting for the Results?

Try to avoid having sex or practice safe sex; this should be done at all times, irrespective of your results. If you believe you have an STD, because you’ve got symptoms or because someone has told you that you might have caught it from them, then you should avoid having sex at all until you are all clear.

 

What STDs Can You Test For?

We cover all of the most common STDs with our extensive range of tests. Many of our tests cover multiple tests at once to give you peace of mind, while we also provide single STD tests if you know exactly what you’re testing for.

Take a look at our category pages to see what tests are available: