A herpes test is a diagnostic to test for the presence of a herpes infection, typically a herpes simplex infection. There are two primary forms of herpes tests: a swab test and a blood test. A swab test is performed by swabbing an active herpes outbreak. A blood test screens for the presence of herpes antibodies in the blood. An outbreak must be present in order for a swab test to detect the presence of herpes. A blood test can detect a herpes infection without an active herpes outbreak being present, but a time space of ten weeks must pass before a blood test can accurately detect herpes antibodies. Either form of herpes test can be accessed through a medical professional, and possibly via for-profit STD testing services.