Herpes Simplex Testing in Birmingham & Leicester

When it comes to sexual health, we believe everyone should feel confident and comfortable in approaching medical help. At Midland Health, we endeavour to put our patients at ease as soon as they get in touch. With our non-judgemental, confidential service, we can help get your symptoms tested to confirm whether you are experiencing an outbreak of herpes simplex.

Once our experienced GPs have assessed your symptoms, they can support you through the next steps of living with the herpes simplex virus. From arranging treatment to help alleviate your current discomfort to advice on managing any blisters/lesions, our medical professionals will also help you to manage this condition.

Our Approach To Herpes Testing

If you suspect having symptoms of herpes or genital herpes, it is important to visit our sexual health clinic as soon as you can. Once you have been formally tested, you will be in the best position to gain relief and manage your condition. 

At Midland Health, we offer Herpes Simplex Testing allowing you to find out whether or not your symptoms are from the herpes simplex virus (HSV) quickly and efficiently. These tests involve collecting a sample of fluid from one of your blisters using a swab. The liquid can then be tested on-site for HSV. We do also offer blood tests which can look for Herpes type 1 or type 2. 

During this process, it is also possible to be screened against other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).

Identifying The Symptoms Of Herpes

The difficulty with the herpes simplex virus is that the majority of people do not experience any symptoms when they first contract the infection. Quite simply, people do not know they are actually infected with the virus. Initial symptoms can take weeks, even months or years before they first present themselves.

If your symptoms do happen to develop at the point you first become infected, the virus would have been developing in your system between four to seven days before presenting itself through visible symptoms. 

Herpes can be identified from the following symptoms:

• Small blisters of fluid that when they burst, leave red, open sores - These blisters can present themselves around the genitals, rectum, thighs and buttocks. For those with female genitalia, ulcers can appear on the cervix.
• Penile or vaginal discharge
• Discomfort when urinating
• Flu-like symptoms, including a temperature, aches and pains
• Cold sores - red, itchy and lesions around the edge of the mouth. Most feel a tingling sensation before the cold sore develops.

The symptoms of herpes often last for approximately 20 days, and the blisters should scab, healing without scarring.

What is Herpes Simplex?

Herpes simplex is a viral infection, commonly known as HSV. Unfortunately, herpes simplex is a chronic condition for which there is no permanent cure. The virus will continue to live on in the body, occasionally becoming active again in the future. 

There are two types of herpes simplex, type one and type two. Both are very similar, presenting themselves in small blisters and ulcers. When the blisters present themselves on the face they are referred to as ‘cold sores;’ whereas, when the blisters are located on the genitals, they are recognised as ‘genital herpes.’

Despite herpes simplex living on in your body, it is possible to manage the condition with medication. Allowing you to live a normal life, without passing the virus on to others.

Treating Herpes

Oral antiviral medication is used to treat the primary herpes infection. These work as suppressive therapy for genital herpes, ensuring that the blisters will not flare-up in the future. The tablets work by targeting only the infected cells, actively attacking the virus, suppressing it and stopping it from growing any more. Consequently, this herpes treatment is incredibly effective and most experience a rapid improvement in their herpes outbreak within 24 to 48 hours. 

If you have experienced multiple outbreaks within a year-long period, the same oral antiviral medication can be used as a preventative treatment. Taking these tablets continuously helps many HSV carriers alleviate the stress of transmission, whilst suppressing any further outbreaks. 

Please note that it is important you are assessed by a medical professional as this medication is only effective on HSV, it will not work against other viral or sexually-transmitted infections. 

Why Choose Midland Health?

If you are experiencing a painful and uncomfortable outbreak of herpes, with sore blisters and lesions, the best course of action is to get seen by a sexual health clinician as soon as possible. At Midland Health, we offer appointments with qualified professionals as and when you need them. There is no need to feel embarrassed, our expert GPs are on hand to provide confidential and discreet appointments allowing you to address any discomfort you are experiencing from the herpes simplex virus.

At our state-of-the-art medical centre in Birmingham, our sexual health clinicians and GPs are able to help you understand, alleviate and manage the symptoms of your herpes. At Midland Health, we are proud to set ourselves apart through:

• Confidential appointments within 24 hours of your enquiry
• Medical support without GP referrals or waiting lists
• A comprehensive medical care system, using the most innovative methods 
• Access to new, cutting-edge technology
• Respectful GPs and clinicals, providing excellent care with judgement

To book an appointment with our sexual health clinic, contact our expert GPs today at our Birmingham or Leicester centre on 0121 768 0999. Or, submit an enquiry using the form below and a member of the Midland Health team will be in touch.