Herpes Test Australia: HSV-1 & HSV-2 Blood Test | MediTests
No consult or referral required

Herpes Test.
HSV-1 & HSV-2 IgG.

A private blood test that checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies. Skip the GP, walk in, and get clear answers about your exposure status.

No GP Consult Required Results in 24-48 Hours 3,300+ Walk-in Centres
Get My Herpes Test
$79
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I love the way I can order my own testsTheo B. Customer service was top notchPatrick W. I literally had my results back the same dayLaura B. I wasn't aware that a service like this existed. It's amazing!Jacci Y. Got a response from a human within 15 minutesPhil T.

NATA-accredited collection at 3,300+ centres

More common than most people realise

Herpes is one of the most common viral infections in Australia.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are both extremely common, and most people who carry either virus have no idea — testing is the only way to know your status.

~75%

Of Australians are estimated to have been exposed to HSV-1 (Better Health Channel).

~1 in 8

Australians are estimated to carry HSV-2, often without noticeable symptoms.

Situational test

Not a routine screen — right for specific situations, like a partner's recent diagnosis.

No symptoms doesn't mean no exposure.

Many people carry HSV-1 or HSV-2 without ever having a visible outbreak. That's exactly why Australian guidelines don't recommend blood testing as a general screen — it's reserved for specific situations, which we've outlined below.

A partner has been diagnosed

If a partner has recently tested positive, checking your own status is a sensible next step, whether or not you have any symptoms yourself. This is one of the situations Australian guidelines specifically recognise.

A specific exposure or concern

For example, unprotected contact with someone later diagnosed, or a symptom that's since settled and left you wanting clarity between outbreaks.

Testing together, by choice

Some couples choose to test together for a shared baseline before becoming sexually active. This is a personal decision rather than a guideline recommendation, but a common and reasonable one.

Your GP has recommended it

For example around pregnancy, where a partner's herpes status can be clinically relevant, or in other situations your doctor considers relevant to your care.

Herpes blood tests measure past exposure via antibodies — which is why Australian guidelines reserve them for specific situations rather than general screening.

Ready to check your herpes status? Get My Herpes Test, $79

We remove the barriers

Why Choose MediTests?

Private herpes blood testing without the wait, the appointment, or the paperwork.

GP / Medicare
MediTests Herpes
GP referral
✕ Required
✓ Never needed
Appointment required
✕ Consult first
✓ Walk straight in
Results turnaround
✕ Wait for a results appointment
✓ 24-48 hours typically
Both HSV types tested
✕ Often partial
✓ HSV-1 and HSV-2 both
Collection centres
✕ Referred clinic only
✓ 3,300+ collection centres
Results delivery
✕ Via your GP only
✓ Direct to your inbox
Pricing
✕ Consult required first
✓ $79 flat, no surprises
Get My Herpes Test, $79
Choose your panel

Two ways to check for herpes.

Both panels test for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Pick the coverage that suits you.

Herpes Test

Checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 in one blood sample. No GP conversation, no referral, results straight to your inbox.

2 markers included

HSV-1 HSV-2
$79
See what’s included Buy now

Complete Sexual Health Panel

Our most comprehensive sexual health assessment — both herpes markers plus HIV, hepatitis B and C, multi-site STI screening and liver health, all in one panel.

14 tests included

Herpes HSV-1 Herpes HSV-2 HIV Antigen HIV Antibody Hepatitis B Immunity Liver Function Chlamydia (Urine/Genital) Chlamydia (Throat) Gonorrhoea (Urine/Genital) Gonorrhoea (Throat) Trichomonas Syphilis Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Hepatitis C
$349
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How it works

Your herpes result in three simple steps

1

Step one

Get your herpes test

Check out online for an instant PDF pathology request — no GP visit needed.

2

Step two

Walk into any collection centre

Take it to any of our 3,300+ collection centres across Australia — no booking, no fasting required.

3

Step three

Receive your results privately

Results are sent privately to your inbox, typically within 24-48 hours.

Get My Herpes Test
Is this test right for you?

Herpes blood testing isn't for everyone. Here's when it makes sense.

Australian STI guidelines don't recommend blood testing as routine screening. These are the situations where it's the right option.

A partner has been diagnosed

If a partner has recently tested positive, checking your own status is a sensible next step, whether or not you have symptoms yourself. This is the situation Australian guidelines specifically call out as appropriate for blood testing.

A specific exposure or concern

For example, unprotected contact with someone later diagnosed, or a symptom that's since settled and left you wanting clarity between outbreaks.

Testing together, by choice

Some couples choose to test together for a shared baseline before becoming sexually active — a personal decision rather than a guideline recommendation, but a common and reasonable one.

Your GP has recommended it

For example around pregnancy, where a partner's herpes status can be clinically relevant, or in other situations your doctor considers relevant to your care.

Sound like you? Get tested in under 2 minutes. Get My Herpes Test, $79
Your results

See exactly what you'll receive

A NATA-accredited pathology report showing your HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG antibody status. Clear, not buried in jargon.

NATA-accredited format

The same format used by hospitals and GPs across Australia. Delivered privately to your inbox.

Both antibody markers clearly reported

HSV-1 IgG and HSV-2 IgG status reported separately, so you can see your exposure to each virus type.

Typically delivered in 24-48 hours

Secure PDF to your inbox. Share with your GP or healthcare provider, or review it yourself.

PAGE 2 OF 3
Herpes Blood Test: Antibody Status
HSV-1 IgG Not detected Negative
HSV-2 IgG Detected Positive
Clinical Note

HSV-2 IgG antibodies were detected, indicating previous exposure to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2. HSV-1 IgG antibodies were not detected. This is an antibody test reflecting exposure status, not current activity. Discuss your results with your GP or healthcare provider.

NATA Accredited Laboratory
Pathology report NATA-accredited format
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Trusted by everyday Australians

Thousands of Aussies trust MediTests to make blood testing fast, easy and stress-free.

Common questions

Everything You Need to Know

No. MediTests provides your pathology request directly. No GP visit, no referral required. Purchase online, receive your pathology request instantly, and walk into any of 3,300+ collection centres across Australia. No appointment needed.
The MediTests Herpes Blood Test checks for HSV-1 IgG and HSV-2 IgG antibodies, the proteins your immune system produces after exposure to either virus. It tells you whether you have been exposed to HSV-1, HSV-2, both, or neither.
A herpes blood test detects antibodies, which show whether your immune system has previously encountered HSV-1 or HSV-2. It's a measure of past exposure rather than a direct test for the virus itself, which is why it can be done at any time and doesn't require an active outbreak.
A blood test checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies and can be done any time, with or without symptoms. A swab test is taken directly from an active blister, ulcer or sore and is generally the preferred option if you currently have visible symptoms, since it can confirm an active infection directly. If you have sores or lesions right now, a swab test is usually more appropriate than a blood test.
Technically yes, since the blood test looks for antibodies rather than the virus itself and doesn't require an active outbreak. But Australian STI guidelines don't recommend using it as a general screening test for people with no particular reason to test. It's intended for specific situations, such as a partner's recent diagnosis, a specific exposure or concern, testing together with a new partner by mutual choice, or when a GP or healthcare provider has recommended it.
No. Australian STI management guidelines advise against using blood antibody tests to screen people who have no symptoms and no particular reason to test. Blood testing for HSV is reserved for specific situations, such as when a partner has recently been diagnosed or there's been a specific exposure of concern, and is best used alongside guidance from a GP or healthcare provider.
No. Fasting is not required for a herpes antibody test. You can walk into a collection centre at any time of day.
The MediTests Herpes Blood Test is $79, which includes the referral, lab processing, and your results. No hidden fees, no consultation charges, no Medicare needed.
Results are typically delivered to your inbox within 24 to 48 hours of your sample being collected. You'll receive a full NATA-accredited pathology report as a secure PDF.
Use the Healius centre finder at healius.com.au/locations. With 3,300+ collection centres across Australia, including major cities, regional towns and suburban areas, there's almost certainly one near you. No appointment needed at any centre.
Understanding herpes testing

A complete guide to herpes blood testing in Australia

An overview of what HSV-1 and HSV-2 are, how blood testing works, and what your result means. Written for Australians considering a private herpes blood test.

What are HSV-1 and HSV-2?

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are the two types of herpes simplex virus. HSV-1 is most commonly associated with oral herpes (cold sores), though it can also cause genital herpes. HSV-2 is most commonly associated with genital herpes. Both are extremely common and spread through skin-to-skin contact.

An estimated 75 percent of the Australian population has been exposed to HSV-1 at some point, and an estimated 1 in 8 Australians carries HSV-2, according to Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Many people with either virus have mild symptoms, infrequent symptoms, or none at all, which is why testing is the only reliable way to know your status.

Who should get a herpes blood test?

Australian STI guidelines don't recommend herpes blood testing as routine screening for people with no symptoms and no particular reason to test. Instead, it's intended for specific situations, including:

  • A partner's diagnosis. If a partner has recently tested positive, checking your own status is a common next step. This is the situation guidelines specifically call out as appropriate.
  • A specific exposure or concern. For example, unprotected contact with someone later diagnosed, or a symptom that's since settled and left you wanting clarity.
  • Testing together, by choice. Some couples choose to test together for a shared baseline before becoming sexually active — a personal decision rather than a guideline recommendation.
  • Your GP has recommended it. For example around pregnancy, or in other situations your doctor considers relevant to your care.

Understanding your result

A herpes IgG blood test reports your antibody status for HSV-1 and HSV-2 separately. For each, you'll see one of these results:

Result What it means
Negative (not detected) No antibodies detected
Positive (detected) Antibodies detected, indicating prior exposure
Equivocal Borderline result, a repeat test may be advised

Because this is an antibody test, it reflects your exposure history rather than whether you currently have an active outbreak. If you have any questions about your result, it's worth discussing it with your GP or another healthcare provider who can consider it alongside your personal circumstances.

Blood test versus swab test

There are two different ways to test for herpes, and they answer different questions:

  • Blood test (IgG antibody test). Checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies. Can be done at any time, with or without symptoms, and doesn't require an active outbreak.
  • Swab test. Taken directly from an active blister, ulcer or sore. Generally the preferred option if you currently have visible symptoms, since it can confirm an active infection directly.

If you currently have sores or lesions, a swab test taken during that outbreak is usually the more appropriate option. Blood testing is best suited to checking your general exposure status rather than diagnosing a new, active outbreak.

How the MediTests Herpes Blood Test works

The MediTests Herpes Blood Test is a private, self-requested blood test that you can buy online without a GP referral. The cost is $79, which covers the pathology request, laboratory analysis at a NATA-accredited Australian laboratory, and your results delivered as a secure PDF report.

The process is simple: you complete checkout online and immediately receive a pathology request to your inbox, you walk into any of the 3,300+ Healius collection centres across Australia, a small blood sample is collected (no fasting required), and your results are typically delivered to your inbox within 24 to 48 hours.

The report includes your HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG antibody status, reported separately. The result is yours to share with your GP or healthcare provider, or to review yourself.

Get your private herpes blood test today. No GP referral. No appointment. Results typically in 24 to 48 hours.

Get My Herpes Test, $79
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Covers chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. A broader panel if you want more than herpes covered in one visit.

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Complete Sexual Health Panel

Multi-site STI screening plus HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes and liver health, $349. The most thorough option in one blood and urine panel.

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Sources & disclaimer

  • Better Health Channel — Victorian Government patient information on genital herpes, including Australian prevalence estimates for HSV-1 and HSV-2. betterhealth.vic.gov.au
  • Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) — Herpes treatment guidelines for Australian clinicians. mshc.org.au
  • Healthdirect Australia — Australian Government health information on genital herpes and STI testing. healthdirect.gov.au
  • Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) — Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests, for Australian pathology reporting standards. rcpa.edu.au
  • Australian STI Management Guidelines (ASHM) — Clinical guidance on HSV testing, including when serological (blood antibody) testing is and isn't recommended. sti.guidelines.org.au

This information is general and educational, not medical advice. A herpes IgG blood test measures antibody exposure and is not recommended for diagnosing a new or active outbreak; a swab test taken from a lesion is generally preferred in that situation. Current Australian guidelines also advise against using this type of test to screen people with no symptoms and no particular reason to test; it's intended for specific situations such as those outlined above. Please consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional for interpretation of your results in your individual clinical context.

HSV-1 and HSV-2. Clear answers, privately.

Know Your Herpes Status.
No GP Visit Required.

Walk into any of 3,300+ collection centres across Australia. No GP. No referral. No appointment. Results typically in 24-48 hours. $79, one-off, no subscription.

Get My Herpes Test, $79
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