Your doctor may be able to diagnose genital herpes from your medical history and a physical exam, especially if the herpes sores are typical in appearance. Your doctor may ask you the following questions:

• Do you think you were exposed to genital herpes or another sexually transmitted infection (STI)? How do you know? Did your partner tell you?
• What are your symptoms?
  • Do you have sores in the genital area or anywhere else on your body?
  • Do they usually come and go?
  • Do you have any urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, burning or stinging with urination, or urinating in small amounts?
  • If you have discharge from the vagina or penis, does it have any smell or color?
• What method of birth control do you use? Did you use condoms to protect against STIs?
• What are your sexual practices and your partner's sexual practices?
• Have you had an STI in the past? How was it treated?

If this is your first outbreak of suspected genital herpes, further testing may be done to confirm the diagnosis.