 [ Symptoms ] is there a test for genital herpes [ Disease ] yes a doctor can take a sample from what appears to be a herpes sore and examine it under a microscope you can also have a blood test the blood test looks for antibodies to the virus that your immune system would have made when you were infected hsv 2 almost always infects the genitals so if antibodies to hsv 2 are detected in your blood you probably have genital herpes a blood test that shows antibodies to hsv 1 means you could have genital or oral herpes that is because oral herpes typically caused by hsv 1 can be spread to the genitals during oral sex