At-Home Herpes Test Kit: swab active sores in private at home
$79 self-collect swab kit — see fees page
$79 self-collect swab kit for active herpes sores or lesions, posted in plain packaging. Specialist GP consult included if your result is positive — no extra charge.
This kit requires an active sore to swab. It cannot diagnose herpes when no sore is present — see the page below for what it does and does not cover.
HSV PCR swab — identifies HSV-1 and HSV-2 type
Plain-packaging mailer with prepaid return
Specialist GP consult included if positive
Order my at-home herpes test kit — $79 →
Founded by Dr Ed Skinner
Specialist GP · 10+ years sexual health · University of Melbourne
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Last updated: May 2026 · Reviewed by Dr Ed Skinner, Specialist GP (FRACGP)
Everything you need to know about the at-home herpes test kit
What this kit tests for — and the important limitations. This kit detects herpes simplex virus (HSV) using a swab of an
active sore or blister.
It cannot diagnose herpes when there is no active sore to swab. Self-collected swabs of genital lesions have lower sensitivity than clinician-collected swabs, so a
negative result does not rule out herpes if you have a typical-looking sore. If you do not have a current sore, or if it is important to rule herpes in or out definitively, an in-person clinical assessment is the right pathway — see
in-person herpes testing in Melbourne or the
telehealth sexual health consult.
Why a swab kit exists. Herpes is one of the few sexually transmitted infections where the test you need depends on whether you have symptoms. When sores are present, a swab test can confirm whether HSV is the cause and tell you whether it is HSV-1 (more commonly around the mouth) or HSV-2 (more commonly in the genital area). When sores are not present, blood tests can sometimes help but are often unhelpful and confusing. This kit is designed for the active-sore scenario only.
When this kit is the right choice. You have a new genital, anal, or perioral sore, blister, ulcer, or rash. You are not in immediate distress (severe pain, fever, urinary retention — these need in-person care). You would prefer to swab in private rather than show the lesion to a clinician. You can swab within the first few days of the lesion appearing — sensitivity drops once a sore starts crusting over.
When this kit is not the right choice. You have no current sores and want a "herpes test" to rule it out — the swab will be negative whether or not you have herpes. You have had recurring outbreaks and want type-specific results between outbreaks — type-specific blood testing through a GP is more useful in that situation. You have severe symptoms or your first-ever outbreak — these benefit from in-person review for confirmation, type-specific blood testing alongside the swab, and discussion of antiviral treatment.
What arrives in the post. A plain padded envelope with no clinic branding on the outside. Inside the kit: a viral transport swab and tube, instructions with a labelled diagram, a prepaid return mailer, and a unique kit ID linking the sample to your account. The kit fits in a standard letterbox and does not need to be signed for.
How to do the swab. Wash your hands. Open the swab packet. Press the swab firmly against the base of the sore, blister, or ulcer for 5 to 10 seconds, rolling it back and forth to pick up cells from the lesion floor. If the sore is an intact blister with fluid in it, gently pop it with a clean needle if comfortable and swab the fluid as well as the base. Place the swab in the transport tube and screw the lid on tightly. Firm contact with the lesion floor is the most important part of the technique.
A note on self-collect sensitivity. Clinician-collected swabs of herpes lesions have a sensitivity of around 70 to 90 percent depending on the stage of the sore. Self-collected swabs are somewhat lower, primarily because of swabbing technique — not pressing firmly enough or not getting fluid from an intact blister. A negative result on a self-collected swab does not rule out herpes if you have a typical-looking sore. A positive result, however, is reliable. This is the most important limitation of the at-home pathway to understand before using the kit.
Returning the sample. Place the transport tube into the prepaid return mailer, seal it, and drop it in any Australia Post box. The transport tube keeps the sample viable for several days at room temperature. Same-day or next-day posting is ideal for the cleanest result, since fresher samples give cleaner results.
How you get the result. A result notification is sent by SMS. If the swab is positive, a Specialist GP calls you to discuss the result, including what HSV type was detected (HSV-1 or HSV-2), what this means for you, treatment options including antiviral medication where appropriate, and any partner-disclosure considerations. The consult is automatically included in the $79 — there is no additional charge if your result needs follow-up.
What the $79 includes — and what it does not. Included: the kit itself, the prepaid return mailer, the lab test including HSV-1 and HSV-2 typing, the result notification, and the Specialist GP consult if your result is positive. Not included: in-person review, antiviral medication costs (a prescription is sent to your local pharmacy if appropriate), type-specific blood testing if you later want to investigate without a sore, or a separate consult to discuss starting antivirals while the swab is in transit. See the fees page for full pricing.