Herpes Test at Home: Your Options and What to Expect

If you're thinking about getting a herpes test at home, you're probably feeling a mix of things right now. Maybe relief that you don't have to sit in a waiting room. Maybe anxiety about what the results might say. Maybe you just want answers on your own terms, in your own space. All of that makes sense. Let's walk through your home testing options together so you can make the choice that feels right for you.

Yes, you can test for herpes at home

Let's start with the good news: at-home herpes testing is a real, legitimate option. Several companies now offer FDA-registered kits that you can order online, use in the privacy of your own home, and mail back to a certified lab. No awkward waiting rooms. No small talk with a receptionist. Just you, a simple finger-prick blood collection, and an envelope.

The kits all work on the same basic principle. They use the IgG blood test, which detects antibodies your immune system produces in response to the herpes virus. This is the same test your doctor would order at a clinic. The difference is just how the blood sample gets collected: at a lab, they draw a vial from your arm. At home, you prick your finger and squeeze a few drops onto a collection card.

One important thing to know: your body needs time to build up detectable antibodies after exposure. Most experts recommend waiting at least 12 weeks after potential exposure before taking an IgG test. Testing too early can give you a false negative, which helps nobody.

Comparing the major home herpes test kits

Here's a straightforward comparison of the most popular options right now:

*STDcheck is ordered online but requires visiting a local lab (LabCorp or Quest) for the blood draw. It's not a fully at-home option, but it's worth knowing about if you want faster results or feel more comfortable having a professional draw your blood.

A note about Everlywell: You may have seen Everlywell mentioned in older articles about at-home STD testing. As of now, Everlywell does not include herpes in their STD panels, so it's not an option for herpes-specific testing.

If you want both HSV-1 and HSV-2 tested (which is usually a good idea, since either type can show up orally or genitally), LetsGetChecked is the most straightforward at-home choice. If you're only concerned about HSV-2 and want to save a bit, myLAB Box is solid.

How accurate are home herpes tests, really?

I want to be straight with you here, because you deserve honesty, not a sales pitch.

At-home herpes tests use the same IgG technology as the blood test your doctor would order. So the accuracy is similar: roughly 92 to 95% for HSV-2 and about 91% for HSV-1. That's pretty good. But "pretty good" isn't the same as "definitive," and there's a catch you need to know about.

IgG results come back as an index value on a numerical scale. A result above 1.10 is considered positive. But here's where it gets tricky: low positive values (between 1.10 and 3.50) can be false positives, especially for HSV-2. Some studies show that up to 50% of low positive HSV-2 results in low-risk populations are wrong.

So what does this mean for you? If your result comes back with a high index value (above 3.50), you can feel fairly confident in that result. But if your value lands in that low positive zone? Don't panic, and don't take it as gospel. The recommended next step is a Western Blot test, which is over 99% accurate. It's the gold standard. Your doctor can order it through the University of Washington Clinical Virology Laboratory.

For a deeper dive into what your numbers actually mean, check out our guide to understanding your herpes test results.

What home tests can't do

Home herpes test kits are useful, but they have real limitations. Let's be clear about what they won't do:

• They can't swab active sores. If you're having an outbreak right now, the most accurate test is a PCR swab done by a doctor while the sores are still fresh (ideally within 48 hours). A blood test tells you about antibodies, not what's happening on your skin right now.
• They can't provide a Western Blot. The gold standard confirmatory test isn't available through any at-home kit. You'll need a healthcare provider for that.
• They can't tell you where the virus lives. A blood test shows you carry antibodies for HSV-1 or HSV-2, but it won't tell you if your herpes is oral or genital. For that, you'd need a swab during an active outbreak.
• They won't be accurate too soon after exposure. If you were potentially exposed within the last 12 weeks, you may need to wait before testing, or test now and retest later.

None of this means home tests are useless. Far from it. They're a great first step. Just know what they're good at and where their limits are.

When home testing makes sense (and when to see a doctor)

Home testing is a good fit if:

• You want to know your herpes status but don't have active symptoms
• It's been at least 12 weeks since your last potential exposure
• You value privacy and want to test on your own schedule
• You don't have a current doctor or your doctor won't order a herpes test (this happens more often than you'd think)

See a doctor instead if:

• You have active sores, blisters, or symptoms that need a swab test
• You're experiencing your first prodrome symptoms and want answers fast
• You got a low positive IgG result and need a Western Blot for confirmation
• You want a prescription for antiviral medication

The emotional side of testing at home

Here's the part most testing articles skip, and honestly, it might be the most important part.

Testing at home means you're also waiting at home. Alone. For 2 to 5 days, you might find yourself refreshing your email, doom-scrolling herpes forums, and imagining worst-case scenarios. That waiting period can feel heavy. I want you to know that's completely normal.

If the results come back positive, you'll be processing that alone, too. There's no doctor in the room to say, "Hey, this is manageable. Here's what we do next." It's just you and a screen. That can feel isolating.

So here's what I'd suggest: have a plan for after you get your results. Know who you'd call. Know where you'd go for support. If you don't have someone in your life you trust with this, communities like ours exist for exactly that reason. You don't have to carry it alone.

And if you're testing because you're scared ... I get it. The unknown is almost always scarier than the reality. Whether your result is positive, negative, or somewhere in between, knowing is better than not knowing. Knowledge gives you options. It gives you agency. It gives you a place to stand.

Your next steps

If you decide a home test is the right move, here's a simple plan:

1. Make sure it's been at least 12 weeks since your potential exposure.
2. Choose a test based on the comparison above. If you want both types tested at home, LetsGetChecked is your best bet.
3. Follow the kit instructions carefully. The finger prick is quick, and the instructions are straightforward.
4. While you wait for results, try not to spiral. Easier said than done, I know. But remember: whatever the result, you're going to be okay.
5. When results arrive, read our guide to understanding herpes test results before you interpret the numbers yourself.
6. If your result is a low positive (index value 1.10 to 3.50), follow up with a Western Blot before drawing conclusions.

Testing is one small step in a much bigger picture. Whether you're testing for the first time, confirming something you already suspect, or just getting peace of mind, you're doing the right thing by taking care of yourself. That takes courage, even when (especially when) it doesn't feel that way.

You've got this.