Herpes is a common STD and a lot of people who have it don’t even know. There is no cure for herpes, but there is treatment that can lessen symptoms and decrease the likelihood of passing it on to someone else. If you have an outbreak of sores, a health care provider can usually diagnose herpes by looking at the sores. To be sure, the provider can also take a swab sample and test it in a lab. If you are between outbreaks or think you might have been exposed but don’t have symptoms, a health care provider can do a blood test. If sores are present, diagnosis can happen at your appointment. If they have to take a sample from a sore or they do a blood test, it may take a couple of days to a week for the results.