Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) — Marylebone
Strictly confidential Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental, 22 Wimpole Street, from 1 October 2026. Nurse-taken sample, UKAS-accredited laboratory, results via secure portal.
From 1 October 2026 — until then book at South Kensington or St Paul's.
Price
£106
All-inclusive price
- Results within 5 days"
- Confidential service
- No GP referral needed
- Professional clinical environment
- Results via secure portal
- Nurse-led expert care
Wimpole Street, Marylebone (opening 1 October 2026)
Opening hours from 1 October 2026
- Monday
- 9am – 6pm
- Tuesday
- 9am – 8pm
- Wednesday
- 9am – 6pm
- Thursday
- 9am – 8pm
- Friday
- 8am – 5pm
- Saturday
- 10am – 4pm
- Sunday
- Closed
- Bond Street — about 6 minutes (Central, Jubilee & Elizabeth lines)
- Oxford Circus — about 7 minutes (Central, Bakerloo & Victoria lines)
Wimpole Street, Marylebone
Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) is a strictly confidential herpes and HPV test covering oral herpes test, cold sore screening and HSV self-collection, performed on a self-collected swab. At Wimpole Street the price is £106 and, from 1 October 2026, a nurse takes the sample in a private room at 22 Wimpole Street, Marylebone. The laboratory quotes 5 days; the report is released only to you through a secure portal, and a positive result should be taken to a sexual health service or your GP for treatment.
Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect)’s place in herpes and HPV testing
- Sample
- self-collected swab
- Laboratory turnaround
- 5 days
- Appointment
- 20 minutes
- Standard price
- £106 + £50 phlebotomy per visit
What Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) measures
Laboratories file the Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) under oral herpes test, cold sore screening and HSV self-collection. The following sections set out how a herpes and HPV test of this kind is measured and read.
Herpes simplex testing is most reliable by PCR on a swab taken directly from a blister or ulcer, which detects the virus and identifies whether it is type 1 or type 2. Blood antibody tests (IgG) show whether you have ever acquired either type, but cannot say where or when, and IgM adds little in practice. Related herpes-family viruses — HHV-6 and HHV-8 — are tested by PCR or serology in specific situations, and lesion swabs can also identify mpox. HPV is tested by cervical sample within NHS screening, and HPV-related tests on other samples are arranged case by case.
Preparing for your Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect)
- 1For PCR, the swab should be taken from a fresh lesion, ideally within the first three days — once a sore has crusted over, the virus is much harder to detect.
- 2Do not apply antiviral cream to the lesion before the swab.
- 3Antibody tests need 6 to 12 weeks after first infection to become positive, so a blood test soon after an outbreak may be negative even when PCR is positive.
- 4No fasting is required for the blood test.
Sample for this test: self-collected swab.
Who considers Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect)
- People often consider herpes testing if they have painful blisters or sores on the genitals, buttocks or around the mouth, especially a first episode.
- A partner who has been diagnosed with genital herpes is a common reason to check antibody status.
- Recurrent sores whose cause has never been confirmed may be swabbed during an outbreak.
- Some people want to know their type-specific antibody status before pregnancy or a new relationship.
- A new rash with fever after close contact may prompt swabbing for mpox as well as herpes.
Understanding your Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) results
A positive lesion PCR confirms that herpes simplex caused the sore and tells you the type — HSV-1 or HSV-2 — which helps to predict how often recurrences may happen. A positive HSV IgG shows past acquisition of that type; because HSV-1 antibodies are present in most adults from childhood cold sores, a positive HSV-1 result does not indicate genital infection. A negative antibody test long after any exposure makes infection with that type unlikely, but a negative swab from an old or healing lesion does not exclude herpes.
Herpes antibody results indicate past exposure without location or timing, and a diagnosis of genital herpes rests on a positive swab from a lesion.
A first episode of genital herpes with inability to pass urine, severe pain, or a widespread rash with fever should be assessed urgently — contact NHS 111 or a sexual health service the same day.
Related areas of testing at Wimpole Street: syphilis testing, STI screening profiles, viral infections and immunity, swab tests.
Pricing
Payment is collected at the clinic. No additional fees apply for this test.
From booking the Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) to reading your result
- 1
Choose your test
Select the Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) and any others you want run from the same visit. Until 1 October 2026 the identical test can be booked at South Kensington or St Paul’s.
- 2
Nurse-led sample
From 1 October 2026 the self-collected swab is taken at 22 Wimpole Street, Marylebone by our nursing team, led by Precious Agbonmamwen, Registered Adult Nurse (NMC 20H1641E). Identity is checked and any preparation questions answered first.
- 3
UKAS-accredited laboratory
The sample travels to a UKAS-accredited partner laboratory, whose methods and reference ranges match those used across the NHS and private sectors.
- 4
Laboratory report to your secure portal
The laboratory report is released to your secure portal — typically from 24 hours; the laboratory quotes 5 days for this test. It shows each value against the reference range and flags anything outside it; discuss the report with your GP or a clinician.
Why test at Wimpole Street
Wimpole Street Medical & Dental opens at 22 Wimpole Street on 1 October 2026. Medical services are for patients aged 16 and over; registration with the CQC is in progress ahead of opening.
Wimpole Street, Marylebone (opening 1 October 2026)
- Bond Street — about 6 minutes (Central, Jubilee & Elizabeth lines)
- Oxford Circus — about 7 minutes (Central, Bakerloo & Victoria lines)
- Registration with the CQC is in progress ahead of opening and the service follows BASHH testing guidance.
- The nurse can explain window periods before you test, so you are not paying for a result that is too early to be meaningful.
- Appointments at 22 Wimpole Street, Marylebone are booked under your name only; nothing is shared with a GP or insurer unless you ask, except where required by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
A self-collected swab. A nurse or phlebotomist collects it at 22 Wimpole Street, Marylebone from 1 October 2026; the appointment allows time for identity checks and any preparation questions. The laboratory quotes 5 days for this test.
Other tests often considered alongside Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect)
- Herpes Simplex I/II Antibody Profile (IgG)Wimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- Human Herpes Virus – 8 (IgG)Wimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 (PCR) (Oral or Genital)Wimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- Human Herpes Virus – 6 by PCRWimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Genital lesion (Self-collect)Wimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- Herpes Simplex I/II IgMWimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
Ready to Get Tested?
Wimpole Street opens 1 October 2026. Register your interest, or book the same strictly confidential test now at South Kensington or St Paul's.
Important information about the Herpes Simplex (HSV) 1 & 2 – Oral lesion (Self-collect) at Wimpole Street
- Medical services at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental are for patients aged 16 and over.
- This is a self-referral service: you choose the test and book directly — no GP referral is needed.
- Nurse-led by Precious Agbonmamwen, Registered Adult Nurse (NMC 20H1641E), who oversees sample-taking standards, infection control and the patient pathway. The nursing team does not interpret results.
- A laboratory result is not a diagnosis and this page is not a substitute for medical advice. We do not provide clinical interpretation of results — please discuss your report with your GP or a clinician, particularly if a value is flagged or you have symptoms.
- CQC registration for Wimpole Street is in progress ahead of the opening on 1 October 2026; our South Kensington and St Paul’s clinics are CQC registered.
- Your results are held on a secure portal and treated as strictly confidential, except where disclosure is required by law.
- If you are seriously unwell, call 999. For urgent advice that is not an emergency, call NHS 111.
