Genital herpes is one of the most common STIs in the United States — and most people who have it don't know. The virus can be present and transmissible even when there are no visible sores or symptoms. Testing is a simple blood draw, no genital exam required, and results are delivered privately to your email in 1–2 days.
The CDC estimates that about 1 in 6 people aged 14–49 in the United States has genital herpes caused by HSV-2. The majority of those people have never been diagnosed. Symptoms are often mild, mistaken for something else, or absent entirely — which means the only way to know is to test.
Herpes sheds from the skin even when no sores are visible — a process called asymptomatic shedding. This is how most new infections occur. Knowing your status lets you take steps to protect partners and have informed conversations before sex.
Effective antiviral medications can reduce outbreak frequency, ease symptoms, and significantly lower the risk of transmission. People with herpes lead full, healthy sexual lives. Getting tested is the first step toward managing it on your terms.
Having genital herpes makes it easier to acquire and transmit HIV. Open sores create entry points for the virus, and HSV-related inflammation can increase susceptibility. If you're sexually active, knowing your herpes status is part of protecting your overall sexual health.
Same-day testing at 4,500+ locations. No appointment needed. Results in 1–2 days.
