Oral herpes test

An oral herpes test is a simple at-home kit you can use to test for oral herpes, also known as cold sores. It is a simple swab test kit, which is used to detect the herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in an active sore. This will confirm an active infection and check for the specific type of virus involved. For example, oral herpes can be caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2, so the test is designed to detect the presence of these specific HSV types.

To use the at-home oral herpes test, you will need to take a swab of one of your sores using the equipment provided in the test kit. To collect a sample, you should:

1. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water and then dry them thoroughly.
2. Open the collection tube by unscrewing the cap and leaving it to one side.
3. Place the collection tube upright on a flat surface, taking care not to spill any of the liquid that’s inside.
4. Remove the cotton swab from its packaging and use 1 hand to hold the plastic shaft at the black line.
5. Use the cotton swab tip to gently brush or scrape against one of your sores – only collect a sample from 1 part of the body.
6. Place the swab into the collection tube and, holding the tube steady, snap the shaft of the swab at the black line.
7. Throw the stick end away, leaving the cotton end in the liquid and screw the cap back on the collection tube.
8. Place the tube into the protective wallet and close firmly.
9. Post the sample to the lab using the prepaid envelope provided.

Research suggests that 67% of people carry HSV-1, the main cause of oral herpes, by the age of 49, while 12% of adults carry HSV-2. So, it is important to get tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 if you think you may have been exposed to it because the virus is often asymptomatic (causes no symptoms until an outbreak), and you may have it without knowing.

Oral herpes is easily spread through skin-to-skin contact, like kissing, but it can also be spread during oral sex, causing genital herpes. Testing is important to help manage outbreaks, receive treatment, and reduce the spread of the virus.

You should consider taking a test if you have visible sores or painful blisters on your face, especially around your mouth or on your lips. You may also feel some tingling, burning or itching before the sores appear, but you will need to wait until the sores appear before doing a test. You should also consider taking a test if you have had direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has been diagnosed with HSV, especially if they have visible sores.

Cold sore symptoms

It is important to recognise the symptoms of cold sores, which usually appear on or around the lips but can also appear anywhere on the face. Symptoms include:

• tingling, burning, or itching (the first signs of a cold sore)
• fluid-filled blisters
• blister clusters that will start to ooze, crust, and scab
• soreness
• redness or swelling

Test kits from Asda Online Doctor will have your test results back to you after 2 to 3 days of our partner lab receiving your sample. Your results will appear in your patient account after one of our doctors has looked at your results. We will never email or text your results to you.

If you have taken a test at a sexual health clinic, it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get your results back.

What does a positive test mean?

If your results come back positive, it means the test detected genetic material from HSV-1 or HSV-2 in your sample. This means that your sores are caused by oral herpes and you will need to take steps to manage the outbreak and prevent it from being spread to others.

What does a negative test mean?

A negative result means you did not have HSV in your sample, or there may be a rare chance that the test did not detect it. If you are still getting cold sore symptoms, you can message one of our doctors through your patient account or speak to your GP.

If you receive a positive test result, it means you have oral herpes (cold sores). One of our doctors will have reviewed your results and provided you with advice on what you should do now, including any cold sore treatment that may be available. There is no cure for the herpes virus, but there are things you can do to help manage the painful symptoms, reduce the length of outbreaks, and stop it being spread to others.

Some of the things you can do to manage a cold sore outbreak include:

✓ not kissing or having oral sex until the sores have completely healed

✓ avoiding triggers, such as sunbeds, stress, or poor sleep

✓ using sunblock lip balm when exposed to sunlight

✓ taking over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol, to manage pain and swelling

✓ drinking plenty of water to aid healing and prevent dehydration

✓ avoiding touching any sores

✓ dabbing on cold sore cream rather than rubbing it in

✓ avoiding salty or acidic foods

Antiviral tablets or treatments may be prescribed by a doctor if the cold sores are large, painful, or keep coming back. At Asda Online Doctor, we can provide the following cold sore treatments:

Aciclovir

Aciclovir tablets contain the active ingredient aciclovir, an antiviral medication that treats cold sores by stopping the herpes virus from growing and spreading. It can shorten the length of outbreaks and also help to make them less severe. Research suggests that antiviral tablets, like aciclovir, can shorten cold sore outbreaks by 1 day. The usual course for cold sores is one 200mg tablet taken 5 times a day for 5 days or 400mg taken 3 times a day for 5 days.

Valaciclovir

Valaciclovir tablets contain 500mg of valaciclovir, a prodrug that is converted into its active form aciclovir, once inside the body, making it a stronger medication. The usual dose is four 500mg tablets twice a day for 1 day or a 500mg tablet twice a day for 3 to 5 days. Research shows that valaciclovir treatment shortens cold sore outbreaks and how long you get pain or discomfort for, on average, by half a day.

Other treatments

There are a number of other options available to manage cold sores, including:

• antiviral creams that shorten the length of the outbreak and should be used as soon as symptoms start – these are available over the counter, and stronger creams are available on prescription
• pain-relieving gels and creams
• patches that create a shield and help to heal the skin
• electronic devices that use light or lasers to treat cold sores, which are available at some pharmacies, but there is limited evidence to confirm how well they work

You can buy cold sore tests online from a trusted online doctor service or pharmacy. You can also get a cold sore test on the NHS, but you will need to visit your GP or sexual health clinic.

Can I buy an oral herpes home test online?

Yes, you can request an at-home cold sore test online from Asda Online Doctor in 3 easy steps:

1. Fill out a quick online health questionnaire.
2. Place an order for your test kit.
3. Receive your kit at home or choose to collect it from your nearest Asda Pharmacy.

Ordering a cold sore test kit is quick and simple, and there’s no need to visit a doctor for a face-to-face appointment. You can also expect to get your results within 3 days of our partner lab receiving your sample, compared to up to 2 weeks for an NHS test.

Can I get a free oral herpes test with the NHS?

Yes, you can get a free oral herpes test from some sexual health clinics in the UK. You will need to visit a clinic or make an appointment with your GP to get a test. It can also take up to 2 weeks to receive your results.