A common way to screen for HSV-1 and HSV-2 is a type-specific IgG antibody blood test. Many laboratories use an immunoassay designed to detect antibodies your immune system may produce after exposure to HSV-1 or HSV-2. If antibody levels reach the test’s detection threshold, the result may return positive for the corresponding type.
Timing matters (the “window period”)
Antibodies do not appear immediately after exposure. It can take weeks for type-specific antibodies to develop, and in some cases up to 16 weeks or more for current blood tests to reliably detect infection—so testing too soon can produce a negative result even if exposure occurred. If you’re testing after a recent exposure, a clinician can help you choose the right timing and test.
What HSV-1 vs HSV-2 results do (and do not) mean
A positive HSV-1 or HSV-2 IgG result indicates past exposure to that virus type. However, blood antibody tests generally cannot confirm where the infection is located (oral vs genital). HSV-1 and HSV-2 can affect either area, and interpretation depends on symptoms, exposure history, and (when present) lesion testing.
How private testing is often set up
If you choose a private testing option through a third-party provider or partner network, the flow is typically:
Select a test (or panel) online
Enter your ZIP code to choose a nearby collection site
Pay through the provider’s portal
Complete sample collection at a participating patient service center (availability varies)
View results through the provider’s secure system (timing varies by test and lab)
Important: AtlantaSTDTesting.com is an educational guide — not a clinic or laboratory. Ordering, specimen collection, lab processing, results delivery, and any telehealth follow-up are provided by third-party clinics/labs or partner networks.