Clarity & Confidence: What Does this Herpes Test Kit Detects
Dealing with the suspicion of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can be stressful, but getting a clear, accurate answer shouldn’t be. Our Herpes Test Kit provides the definitive clarity you need, identifying which specific type of the virus is present—information that is vital for your health and future decisions.
What the Herpes Test Kit Screens For
Our test is precisely engineered to detect and differentiate between the two primary forms of the Herpes Simplex Virus:
- Herpes Simplex Disease (HSV): This is an infectious virus that causes issues in different parts of the body, most commonly resulting in recurrent lesions or sores in the mouth (often cold sores) or the genital areas.
- Accurate Type I and II Detection: Our advanced laboratory equipment sensitively and accurately detects Type I (HSV-1) and Type II (HSV-2) in your swab sample. Knowing the specific type is crucial, as HSV-2 is most commonly associated with recurrent genital herpes, while HSV-1 is most often linked to oral herpes, though either can appear in either location.
Why Choose At-Home Herpes Test?
Choosing our service means partnering with a diagnostic solution that prioritizes accuracy, speed, and support. We ensure you get the reliable information you need with maximum convenience:
- Laboratory Excellence: We use CE-certified laboratory equipment and the Latest Laboratory Technology to guarantee the most sensitive and accurate detection of the virus.
- Direct Access & Value: By Dealing Direct with the laboratory, we provide you with the Best Prices and dedicated Best Support straight from the source.
- Hassle-Free Logistics: Your kit includes a Pre-Paid Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 Return to Lab Label, making the return of your swab simple and cost-free.
- Secure & Discreet Results: Your Result Certificate is Issued by Confidential Email (No SMS), ensuring your sensitive health information remains private.
- Regulatory Compliance: All testing procedures utilize MHRA Registered IVD Devices, confirming compliance with strict UK standards for quality.
- Support & Treatment: Get assistance via WhatsApp support during business hours, and gain immediate access to treatment with our Prescription Option for £30 if your test is positive.
Everything Included in Herpes Test Kit & How Fast You Get Answers
We’ve packed your Herpes Test Kit to ensure the collection process is as simple, secure, and stress-free as possible. From the sterile swab to the pre-paid shipping, every component is included for total convenience.
What’s Inside this Herpes Test Kit?
Depending on your chosen method, your discreet kit contains all necessary medical-grade supplies for a reliable sample collection:
Swab Sample Kit (Preferred Method)
This kit provides the tools for high-quality self-sampling:
- Sterile Swab: Used to collect your sample for the most accurate detection.
- Sample Tube with Liquid: This specialized liquid preserves the viral DNA, ensuring your sample remains viable and accurate for laboratory analysis.
- Specisafe Plastic Case: A robust plastic container providing an essential layer of protection for the sample tube during its return journey.
- Return Bag (UN3373): This official, certified biosecurity bag is required for the safe and compliant shipment of biological samples.
- Pre-paid Label: Included for free, tracked, and hassle-free return shipping directly to our lab.
- Clear Instructions for Use: Simple, step-by-step guidance is provided to ensure you collect the best possible sample for your herpes test kit.
Urine Sample Kit
This non-invasive option provides a simple collection method:
- Sample Container: A sterile pot for securing your urine sample.
- Pre-paid Label: Ensures a cost-free and easy return.
- Instructions for Use: Clear directions for proper collection.
- Note: Please consult the kit’s FAQ/Instructions for specific details on how your urine sample is processed, as it may be handled differently than the swab.
How Fast Will You Get Your Results? ⏱️
We prioritize getting you answers quickly so you can find peace of mind.
- Standard Results: The target time for emailing your confidential results is typically 1 to 2 working days from the moment our laboratory receives your sample.
- While-You-Wait Service: For maximum speed, we offer an expedited service for an additional £50. Ask about this option if you need answers urgently.
Always Here to Support You
We are committed to supporting you throughout the testing process.
- Standard Support Hours: Our customer support team is available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.
- Emergency Contact: For urgent situations outside of these hours, you may contact us on the mobile number provided above in your kit.
How Does It Work?
Order your kit online and once it arrives collect your sample at home.
Then, drop off the Kit in the morning to the Royal Mail Red Street Box. Use the Track24/48 Return Label to the Lab.
Lastly, once your results are ready, we will send you an email with your Result. Also you can view the report in your Dashboard.
FAQs
It’s natural to have questions when dealing with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). We’ve compiled the most common inquiries to give you clear, factual information, helping you understand the virus, the testing process, and how to manage your health with the results from your Herpes Test Kit.
Understanding HSV: What You Need to Know
Q: Firstly, what are these infections that the Herpes Checkup targets?
A: The Herpes Checkup is designed to detect two specific viruses: Herpes Simplex Virus Type I (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type II (HSV-2). These two viruses are the infectious agents that cause genital disease, as well as issues in other body parts, most commonly the mouth or genital areas.
Q: What are the typical HSV symptoms?
A: Symptoms vary widely. You might experience itching, tingling, discomfort, headache, or general soreness. However, it’s important to know that many people catch the virus but show no symptoms at all, which is why our Herpes Test Kit is essential for detection.
Q: How long does it take for symptoms to appear after contact?
A: Symptoms usually appear within about 14 days after contact, although this timeframe can vary significantly between individuals.
Q: Just how common is this virus?
A: HSV is surprisingly widespread. In the UK, approximately 6 out of 10 people carry Type I (HSV-1), and about 10 out of 10 carry Type II (HSV-2). It is a very common infection.
Q: How does the virus spread?
A: The virus spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact, often during intimate or sexual activity, or when coming into contact with a sore.
Q: How can I reduce my risk of getting the virus?
A: If you are sexually active, you can significantly reduce the risk of getting infected by using condoms correctly every time you have sex. Condoms provide a strong barrier against transmission.
Q: Is there a treatment which can cure it after taking an exam?
A: The current medications cannot cure HSV, but the healthcare provider can prescribe effective antiviral medication to treat it. These treatments help manage outbreaks, reduce symptoms, and lower the risk of transmission to others.
Testing Procedures and Accuracy
Q: Is urine sampling the best option for this Herpes Test Kit?
A: Swab sampling is generally more reliable because it directly samples the virus from a lesion or an affected site. Urine sampling is still available and works fine when the virus is already shedding material inside the shaft. However, swab sampling is more reliable when the virus is not in the shedding stage of its cycle. Some patients, especially men, prefer not to use a male swab stick for comfort, but the swab remains the gold standard.
Q: Can the swab procedure be used for skin blisters?
A: Yes, absolutely. The swab can be inserted into the urethra (penis) or applied directly to any active blisters. The main requirement for the most accurate result from our highly sensitive PCR instruments is to collect as much blister material as possible on the swab stick.
Managing HSV: Prevention and Recurrence
Q: Finally, how can I prevent frequent recurrences (outbreaks)?
A: By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can help manage and reduce the frequency of outbreaks:
- Prioritize Sleep: Get enough rest to keep your immune system strong.
- Stop Smoking: Smoking can be a stressor on the body.
- Exercise Regularly: Maintain a regular exercise routine.
- Use Silicone-Based Lubricant: This can reduce friction that might trigger an outbreak.
- Maintain a Healthy Life: Focus on overall wellness to keep the virus suppressed.
Instant Treatment Access: Getting Your Prescription After Your Herpes Test Kit
A positive result from your Herpes Test Kit should immediately lead to treatment, not bureaucracy. Customers often face hours of waiting, travel, and high fees at NHS or private clinics to secure a prescription for Herpes.
Medicines Online is the UK’s solution. We are the first diagnostic lab to integrate a seamless Prescription Referral Service directly with our products. By selecting this option, your positive report is digitally sent within seconds to the dedicated dashboard of our referral GP.
The £30 Prescription Bundle (Smartest Value)
This upfront option provides the fastest, most cost-effective guarantee of treatment access if your at-home herpes test confirms an infection.
- How to Get the Special Rate: You simply select the Prescription Bundle when placing your order, either during product selection or at checkout. The special £30 price is a discount offered because of our efficient, simple AI transmission system.
- The Process: After you complete your purchase, if your result is positive, you log into your dashboard and fill out a quick, pop-up Referral Questionnaire for the Doctor.
- Speed: Your positive result and Referral are automatically transferred to the Doctor for immediate processing. If approved, your Online Digital Prescription is emailed to you the same or next day.
- Total Time: You receive your digital prescription in up to 1 day from the moment you get your positive result.
- Value Consideration: The £30 fee is paid ‘in case of receiving a positive result’ and is non-refundable. Since a regular prescription consultation is twice the price, this bundle is the best choice if you are sure you have an infection. If you are mainly getting the herpes checkup for reassurance, you may consider the £60 option later.
The £60 Standard Referral (Pay-Later Option)
If you prefer to wait for your results before paying for the consultation, you can opt for the standard referral.
- How to Purchase: Wait until you receive your positive result, then visit our Online Prescription Page and purchase the Referral Consultation product for the regular rate of £60.
- The Process: You must provide your original order number to track your result and Upload your result PDF. After purchasing, complete the pop-up Referral Questionnaire for the Doctor.
- Review and Approval: For positive Herpes results, your Referral is instantly transferred to the Doctor. You will be contacted via email or telephone if the Doctor has any questions about your case.
- Speed: If approved, your Online Digital Prescription will be automatically emailed to you within 1 day of completing the questionnaire.
- Total Time: The total processing time for your Digital Online Prescription is up to 1 day after submitting your medical information.
Important Note
Please be aware that this Prescription Referral Service covers Herpes and other common bacterial/parasitic STIs but does not apply to products for HPV, HIV, and Syphilis. For these infections, your healthcare provider will offer specific, specialized treatment guidance.
What is the Scientific Data from the Instrument and Reagent Supplier?
Technology Method:
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Limit of Detection:
Type I: 324 copies/mL. Type II: 404 copies/mL
Sensitivity:
In the kit’s positive and negative reference controls, the positive and negative coincidence rates were 100%.
Specificity:
No cross-reactivity of the HSV kit between the microorganisms was observed.
Accuracy:
Precision reference controls were tested 10 times, and the Ct value’s coefficient of variation (CV%) was no greater than 5%.
Result/Outcome/Range
Positive/Negative/Inconclusive
Type I, or II
Validation-Active Information:
- EQA: Yes
- Inter-laboratory validations
- Periodic according to the validation schedule
- Event-triggered- QC/Calibration/New materials/Batch
Unwavering Confidence: Understanding the Accuracy of Herpes Test Kit
When testing for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), you deserve absolute certainty. Our commitment to high-accuracy diagnostics ensures you receive the most reliable results possible from your Herpes Test Kit.
The Power of Precision: Our Accuracy Guarantee
The reliability of your results is backed by strict laboratory standards, validating our diagnostic methods with a high accuracy rate of up to 98.5\%. This precision is based on two key metrics:
- Sensitivity: This is our instrument’s exceptional ability to correctly confirm positive results. If the virus is present, our Herpes Test Kit will reliably detect it.
- Specificity: This is the test’s ability to accurately eliminate negative results, giving you confidence that a negative outcome is genuine.
Virus Detection: Knowing Your Type
Our advanced PCR detection method is specifically designed for high-precision Virus Detection in your sample. A key advantage is the ability to not only confirm HSV but also to accurately distinguish between Type I and Type II, or indicate if both types are present. This detailed information is crucial for tailored management and peace of mind.
Factors That Influence Your Home Sample Accuracy
While our laboratory equipment is based on highly sensitive methods, the final accuracy of your at-home herpes test depends on factors outside our control:
- Sample Quality is Paramount: Infection intensity and your patient health can affect the virus presence, but the most critical variable is the sample quality itself. A poor-quality swab, which results from not following the “home sampling” procedures carefully, means fewer viral particles are available for detection.
- Your Role: To ensure the highest quality sample, you must carefully consider the information sheet accompanying your sample collection kit and follow the instructions precisely.
Interpreting Your Results
The outcome from our medical diagnostics laboratory is intended to inform your next steps. Any diagnosis should be discussed with your healthcare provider (GP), who will view the results alongside your medical history, lifestyle, and other influencing factors.
Positive Result: Clarity and Next Steps
A positive result confirms the presence of viral particles in your sample during processing.
- Action Required: Upon receiving a positive result, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider for treatment options. You can also utilize our prescription service available through our website.
- Silent Transmission Risk: Remember, it is possible that the Simplex Virus does not present visible symptoms, yet you may still be infectious to others. The Herpes Test Kit provides the crucial knowledge to prevent further spread.
Negative Result: Reassurance with Due Diligence
A negative result from your Herpes Test Kit provides significant reassurance, meaning the instrument did not detect the presence of infection at the time of sampling.
- Consult Your GP: This result should still be discussed with a healthcare provider, considering your recent lifestyle and sexual history.
- Stay Vigilant: If you have been in contact with someone who tests positive, or if you begin to present symptoms consistent with HSV, you should contact your GP, as the test only reflects your status at the exact moment of sampling.
Page Quality Review:
Review Date : 30/01/2024
Reviewed By :
More Than a Result: Why Your Herpes Test Kit Sparks Vital Conversations
The decision to use a Herpes Test Kit often involves navigating fear, shame, and complex relationships. These shared, powerful stories—from those living with the virus to those making difficult decisions about potential partners—break the silence and underscore why clarity from an at-home herpes checkup is the first step toward ethical, healthy intimacy.
Living with HSV: The Journey from Shame to Acceptance
1. Sha: The Innocence and the Emergency Room Visit
Sha’s story is a powerful reminder that HSV is not limited to perceived promiscuity. After her first sexual experience, she found herself in the emergency room, tearful and embarrassed. Despite having only one partner, her herpes checkup detected the HSV virus.
- Dismantling Stereotypes: Sha remembers sincerely answering questions about her minimal sexual history, feeling she “dismantled all the medical conjectures on promiscuity.”
- The Power of Knowledge: Knowing how common the infection is allowed her to quickly understand that a chronic condition did not define her. She learned to listen to her body, predicting outbreaks to start treatment early, and found “renewed love for the joy that only fresh water from the bidet can give you.”
2. DTBA: The Peril of Postponed Honesty
DTBA (Don’t Tell Before Anyone) has lived with HSV for fifteen years and, due to bitter past rejections, often chooses not to disclose her status to casual partners. She admits she now uses casual sex to avoid the difficult conversation entirely.
- The Unintended Consequence: The problem arose when a casual partner became someone she respected and liked. She felt intense guilt for not disclosing her status earlier, fearing she had “fucked up” and was “destined to remain alone forever.”
- The Advice: Relationship experts Momo and Felix (creators of the Instagram account “My Boyfriend Has Herpes”) strongly advise DTBA to be completely honest, even if it ends the relationship. “The problem with not saying things… is that casual sexual partners risk becoming long-term partners.” Honesty is the only foundation for trust.
Facing New Decisions: The Complexity of Disclosure
3. The Reluctant Miss: Rationality vs. Reality
A 24-year-old bisexual woman, who calls herself a “Reluctant Miss,” recently started seeing a person she liked, but he disclosed that he has genital outbreaks regularly.
- The Internal Conflict: She understands rationally that HSV is usually manageable, often asymptomatic, and that “the worst effect is the prejudice that accompanies it.” Yet, she chose to end the intimate relationship, fearing becoming someone whose “love life [is] slightly complicated by the stress of telling it.”
- Fueling Prejudice: She asks if her fear is “fueling the prejudice about positive results,” admitting that her decision was driven by the desire to avoid the “life is a little more difficult now” category. Her story shows the devastating real-world impact of the stigma that your herpes test kit result can carry.
4. Alex: The Partner Who Didn’t Need to Know
Alex, 30, was diagnosed with HSV-1 (genital) after using an at-home herpes checkup following a suspicious lesion. He prepared a script to tell his long-term girlfriend, Sarah.
- The Revelation: When he finally sat her down, Sarah was calm. She explained that she had contracted oral HSV-1 as a child and had lived with it for years. She had never been tested for genital HSV, but she wasn’t worried.
- The Lesson: Alex realized his fear was bigger than the reality. His disclosure only brought them closer, demonstrating that the conversation, while terrifying, can sometimes lead to greater intimacy and understanding.
Why Getting a Herpes Test Kit is Your Ethical Duty
These experiences prove that clarity is power. Using a herpes test kit to know your status is vital because:
- Medical Clarity: Early testing (especially using a reliable method like the one in your herpes test kit) allows you to access treatment immediately, which can suppress the virus and reduce the severity of outbreaks.
- Informed Consent: Ethically, knowing your status allows you to practice full transparency and ensure any sexual partner gives informed consent.
- The Stakes are Real: While HSV is often manageable, new research suggests links to complications like Epilepsy and risks during Pregnancy transmission, confirming that its medical relevance should not be dismissed.
Your herpes test kit result is the beginning of a story, not the end. Use it to engage in open, intelligent communication that defines your relationships, not your identity.
Shipping and Return Policies
Appointment:
Missed appointments or cancellations less than 24 hours prior are not entitled to refunds. Rescheduling is possible but not guaranteed. Please contact the customer service prior to the appointment time to discuss cost and availability options.
Shipping & Return:
We have a 14-day return policy, which means you have 14 days after receiving your item to request a return.
To Qualify for any return, the product must be in the same condition as when you received it. Not used, not opened, unworn, in its original packaging. You will also need to send it to us with the receipt or proof of purchase.
Please return to: Medicines Online, 89 Falcon Rd, London. SW11 2PF
You can read our full return policy here:
https://medicinesonline.org.uk/return-policy/
We offer next day delivery; however courier delivery times are out of our control. We are unable to offer refunds for any late deliveries. But you will receive courier tracking information once your order has been dispatched. And orders placed by 1pm are dispatched on the same day.
What is the Shipping and Return Policy?
Shipping & Return:
We have a 14-day return policy, which means you have 14 days after receiving your Herpes item to request a return.
To Qualify for any return, the Kit must be in the same condition as when you received it. It is not used, not opened, unworn, and in its original packaging. You will also need to send it to us with the receipt or proof of purchase.
Please return to Medicines Online, 61 Falcon Rd, London. SW11 2PG
You can read our full return policy here:
https://medicinesbymailbox.co.uk/return-policy/
Note about Royal Mail and DHL Courier Service: We offer next-day delivery; however, courier delivery times are out of our control. We are unable to offer refunds for any late deliveries. You will receive courier tracking information once your order has been dispatched. Also, orders placed by 1 p.m. are dispatched on the same day.
Principle IVD Regulatory Certifications
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MHRA Registration Number: 9489 – Sample Tube & Swab
Page Quality Review:
Review Date : 25/01/2024
Reviewed By :
Type 1
Hallie Rowland –
Impressed with the quick results, but experienced a minor issue with the packaging
in one instance. Nonetheless, customer service promptly addressed my concern.
Bejamin –
When I went to send the test back it appears that it had been lost, but then I sent a message to WhatsApp from Medicines online and it was possible to resolve the situation
Kathlene –
Online Medicines is a professional company. I trust them a lot!
John –
I have no reason to complain. Online medicines was great with me. Thank you
Livia –
Medicines online have been great for me! I recommend! Thank you!
Jordan –
A good company. Honest and correct. Responds to my questions. got my results. all good
Liam –
Good response and fast results – I had the sample taken in London which was easy and comfortable
Anthony P –
Couldn’t be happier with the service provided by Medicines Online! I will be bringing my future business back here without question. Keep up the good work guys and again thank you very much 👍. Best wishes
Dilara Atas-Bednarczyk –
“Great service
Spoke to a lovely lady on customer service very helpful and knowledgeable. Quick and easy to use 5 stars would recommend”