I know that you can buy HIV home test kits from drugstores/online. I think you take a blood sample yourself, mail it off anonymously, and then get results a few weeks later. Is there such a thing for HSV testing that anyone knows of? I haven't been able to find an at home test if it exists. I know I should just take my butt to the doctor, but I haven't gotten up the nerve to face anyone with this problem yet.

Hi Isabella,

The closest thing to what you describe might be the POCkit test, which tests ONLY for HSV-2. You can order it from their website, I think (do a search for it) but I don't know if they'd send it directly to a patient or if you'd have to go through your doctor. You could email them and ask though. It's a blood test that's done with a finger prick of blood, if I'm not mistaken. If you don't want to go through your doctor for something, I think there's a place called Health Check USA that will do blood testing by mail.

You should know, though, that it can take up to 12-16 weeks (sometimes 6 months) after initial infection for antibodies to show up in a blood test. Usually it's more like 6 weeks after transmission but it could be longer.

I don't believe there is any swab test or other tissue sample test that is available except through a doctor and processing lab.

If it's anonymity you're worried about, you might try going to an STD clinic or doctor in another town.

TheOneInFour

Thanks for the info! I may go ahead and test sometime soon, I think I've had enough time for the antibodies to appear (it's been over 8 months since I had
"relations" with anyone). I will check these out!