At-Home Testing

At-Home Herpes Test: HSV-1, HSV-2 & How It Works

Test for herpes from home using a finger-prick blood spot kit — no clinic visit, no awkward conversation. Lab-certified results delivered to your secure account in approximately 5 days.

Finger-prick blood spot

Tests HSV-1 & HSV-2

Results in approx. 5 days

Free physician consult if positive

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Included in

Panels that include this test:

✓ Uber Box — 8 panel (HSV-2) ✓ Total Box — 14 panel (HSV-1 & HSV-2)

Uber Box — Best Value

Herpes + HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hep C, trich

$199

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Free shipping · Discreet packaging · FSA/HSA accepted

What Is an At-Home Herpes Test?

An at-home herpes test detects HSV antibodies in your blood using a finger-prick blood spot sample you collect at home. You order the kit online, receive it in discreet packaging, prick your finger to collect a few drops of blood on the provided card, and mail it to a CLIA-certified lab. Results are posted to your secure online account in approximately 5 days.

It’s important to understand what an at-home herpes blood test does and doesn’t detect. The blood test looks for IgG antibodies — proteins your immune system produces in response to HSV infection. Because it’s a blood test, it cannot distinguish between an active outbreak and a past infection. It also cannot identify the location of infection (oral vs. genital).

The Uber Box tests for HSV-2 specifically — the strain most commonly associated with genital herpes. The Total Box tests for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. If you want to test for both strains, the Total Box is the right choice.

How At-Home Herpes Test Works

Four steps from order to results — no clinic required.

Order Your Kit

Choose a panel that includes herpes. Your kit ships in plain, unmarked packaging — nothing on the outside identifies the contents.

Collect Your Sample

Use the included lancet to prick your fingertip and collect a few drops of blood on the dried blood spot card. Takes about 5 minutes.

Mail It Back

Drop your sample in the prepaid return envelope and leave it for your mail carrier or drop it at any USPS location.

Get Your Results

Results are posted to your secure account in approximately 5 days. You’ll get a notification when they’re ready.

How Accurate Is At-Home Herpes Test?

>97%

Sensitivity (IgG blood test, HSV-2)

IgG antibody tests for HSV-2 have a sensitivity exceeding 97% after the window period. HSV-1 sensitivity is slightly lower — around 91–96%.

>99%

Specificity

False positives are rare but possible. A positive result may be confirmed with a Western blot test, which is the gold standard for herpes diagnosis.

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When Should You Test After Exposure?

The herpes IgG blood test has a window period of 12–16 weeks after exposure. Your immune system needs time to produce enough antibodies to be detectable. Testing too soon can produce a false negative. If you test negative within the window period, retest at 16 weeks to confirm.

See the full STD testing window period guide →

Which Kit Should You Order?

⭐ Best Value myLAB Box — Uber Box — 8 Panel

Uber Box

Comprehensive screening including herpes — in one kit.

✓ Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV-2)
✓ HIV I & II
✓ Chlamydia
✓ Gonorrhea
✓ Syphilis
✓ Hepatitis C
✓ Trichomoniasis

Other Options

Safe Box — 5 Panel

Does not include herpes · $169

Total Box — 14 Panel

Tests both HSV-1 & HSV-2 + throat/rectal screening, MG, HPV · $369–$399

Need HSV-1 testing?

Only the Total Box tests for both HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Order Now → Compare All Panels

Free shipping · FSA/HSA accepted · Discreet packaging

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. At-home herpes tests use a finger-prick blood spot sample you collect at home and mail to a certified lab. The lab tests for HSV IgG antibodies and posts results to your secure account in approximately 5 days. No clinic visit or appointment required.

The herpes IgG blood test has a window period of 12–16 weeks. Testing too soon can produce a false negative even if infection is present. If you test negative within the window period, retest at 16 weeks to confirm. See our full guide to STD testing window periods for more detail.

It depends on the panel. The Uber Box tests for HSV-2 specifically. The Total Box tests for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. If you want to test for both strains — including oral herpes — you’ll need the Total Box.

A positive IgG result means HSV antibodies were detected in your blood, indicating past or current infection. It does not tell you when you were infected, whether you’re currently having an outbreak, or where the infection is located. A physician from the provider’s network will contact you to discuss results and next steps.

Yes — if you test before the window period has closed (12–16 weeks after exposure), your body may not have produced enough antibodies to be detectable. A negative result within that window should be confirmed with a retest at 16 weeks.

No. At-home kits ordered from myLAB Box are not billed through insurance and won’t appear on your explanation of benefits. Results are stored in a HIPAA-compliant portal and are not shared with insurers.