Better2Know Sexual health & STIs

Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 (Swab)

A swab test for Herpes 1 and 2 taken from an affected area, suited to people with current symptoms such as sores or blisters who want to check which type of herpes is responsible.

Sample
Swab
Collection
Genital swab and oral swab and vaginal swab sample at clinic or nurse visit; also home kit £80
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
2
Tests for
  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2

Test specifications

Provider
Better2Know
Sample type
swab
Collection method
genital swab and oral swab and vaginal swab sample at clinic or nurse visit; also home kit £80
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
2
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

2 biomarkers as listed by Better2Know.

  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2

About this test

This test uses a swab sample taken from the affected area to check for Herpes 1 (often linked to oral cold sores) and Herpes 2 (often linked to genital herpes). Unlike the provider's antibody blood tests, a swab test looks for the virus directly at the site of a suspected outbreak, so it is aimed at people who currently have symptoms such as sores or blisters rather than those wanting a general screen.

Better2Know also offers this same swab test as a self-collected home kit for £80, which is £65 less than this clinic-based version. Both use the same two markers; the difference is whether a clinician takes the swab for you at a clinic or you collect it yourself at home, and the clinic version also offers a home nurse visit.

It scores well for collection convenience, since home, clinic and nurse-visit options are all available, and in the middle for value for money against similarly sized sexual health tests we track. It scores only moderately for results and follow-up, as results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Who is it for?

This suits you if you currently have symptoms such as sores or blisters and want a clinician to take the swab sample for you, or if you would rather attend a clinic than manage a postal kit yourself.

If you are comfortable collecting your own swab sample, Better2Know's Herpes Swab Test Home Test Kit checks the same two markers for £80 rather than £145. If you have no symptoms and simply want to know your overall herpes status, an antibody blood test such as Better2Know's Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 (Blood) Test may be a more suitable starting point. A GP can also assess your symptoms directly if you have concerns beyond this specific test.

How it works

A clinician takes a swab sample from the affected area at a Better2Know clinic, or during a home nurse visit. The sample is sent to the provider's laboratory for analysis, with results stated to take five working days. Results are uploaded to your secure online patient area, and you can also choose to receive them by SMS or email. Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Clinician takes the swab sample for you, useful if you have active symptoms.
  • Home nurse visit offered as an alternative to a clinic appointment.
  • Distinguishes between Herpes 1 and Herpes 2 from a single swab.

Cons

  • £65 more than Better2Know's own at-home swab kit for the same two markers.
  • No doctor review of results as standard.
  • Five working day turnaround for results.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Symptomatic herpes swab test with a cheaper home-kit option
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

This swab test checks for Herpes 1 and 2 from a sample taken at the affected area, suited to people with current symptoms such as sores or blisters. At £145 it costs £65 more than Better2Know's at-home swab kit for the same two markers, though here a clinician takes the sample for you.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 7.6/10

    2 biomarkers, placing it in the 51st percentile of sexual health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A swab sample you take at home, no needle; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 5 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 3.0/10

    Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 6.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.

  • Value for money 6.5/10

    £145.00 against a median of £145.00 for the 108 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (-0%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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