Genital herpes can be diagnosed more easily and accurately when the infection is still present, so you should seek medical attention as soon as you develop symptoms.
Primary infection
If you think that you may have genital herpes for the first time (a primary infection), you should visit your local sexual health clinic as soon as possible. These are also called genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. You can use the Find services directory to find GUM clinics near you.
Wherever possible, an initial diagnosis of genital herpes should be made by a GUM specialist. If you cannot get to a GUM clinic, you should see your GP instead. They may refer you to a GUM specialist for a formal diagnosis and treatment. Before being referred to a specialist, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and carry out an examination of your genital area.
Your GP may also ask:
- whether you have experienced similar symptoms before
- whether you have ever had a cold sore, which are also caused by the herpes simplex virus
- whether you have ever had any sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- about your history of sexual partners
If it is not possible to refer you to a GUM clinic, your GP will use a swab to collect a sample of fluid from a blister. A swab is a small piece of absorbent material, such as gauze or cotton, which is attached to the end of a stick or wire. The sample will be sent to a laboratory to be tested for the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Your GP may also screen you for other STIs.
You should be aware that even if your swab result comes back negative for HSV, you may still have genital herpes. Your GP may only be able to confirm a diagnosis of genital herpes by any recurrent infections that you may have.
Recurrent infections
See your GP if you have previously been diagnosed with genital herpes and you think that you may have a recurrent infection.
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and about any previous bouts of genital herpes that you have had during the past year. They will ask you whether or not you have noticed any triggers that set off your recurrent infections, such as stress or illness.
You will also need to have your genital area examined so that your GP can assess the severity of your infection.
Referral
If you have genital herpes and you are pregnant, it is very important that you are referred for specialist treatment. This is because there may be a chance that the infection could pass to your unborn baby. See Genital herpes - complications for more information about genital herpes and pregnancy.
You should also be referred for specialist treatment if you have a weakened immune system (the body’s natural defence system), for example, if you:
People with a weakened immune system will need specialist treatment because genital herpes can last longer and be more severe in these people.
