Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can cause painful blisters or sores on the genitals, mouth, or other areas of the body. There are two main types of HSV: HSV-1, which usually causes oral herpes, and HSV-2, which usually causes genital herpes. Herpes is highly contagious and can be spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, even if they do not have any visible symptoms. It is important to get tested for herpes if you have any symptoms or have had unprotected sex with someone who has herpes.
There are a few different ways to check for herpes. One way is to get a blood test, which can detect antibodies to HSV. This test can be done by your doctor or at a local clinic. Another way to check for herpes is to have a culture done, which involves taking a swab of fluid from a sore or blister and sending it to a lab for testing. This test can be more accurate than a blood test, but it can also be more painful.
