Have a sore right now? Get it swabbed today.
Same-day HSV PCR in Houston — walk in, no appointment, no insurance, no referral. Up to 40% less than urgent care. Results at 4:30 PM; if treatment is clinically appropriate, a licensed physician from our partner network sees you 4:30–6:00 PM.
Same-day HSV PCR in Houston — walk in, no appointment, no insurance, no referral. Up to 40% less than urgent care. Results at 4:30 PM; if treatment is clinically appropriate, a licensed physician from our partner network sees you 4:30–6:00 PM.
3707 Westcenter Dr Suite 100, Houston, TX 77042 · Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Sample by 1:00 PM · Your slot with the doctor is held when we take your sample
Medically reviewed by our MD Laboratory Director (a role required by CLIA; the director’s name is on file in the CMS CLIA database, #45D2048957, and can be verified independently) · Editorial policy
Yes. HSV-1 transmits through direct oral contact, and risk is highest when a lesion is present or forming. But the virus also sheds asymptomatically — meaning transmission can occur when there is nothing visible at all. HSV-1 is extremely common; most people acquire it in childhood from a relative, with no sexual contact involved.
Have a sore right now? Swab it today while it is fresh — lesion PCR is the most reliable herpes test there is, and it loses sensitivity as the sore crusts over.
📱 Text (713) 832-8892
📞 Call (713) 266-0808
📱 Text (713) 832-8892
📞 Call (713) 266-0808
3707 Westcenter Dr Suite 100, Houston, TX 77042 · Walk-ins welcome
What actually changes your risk
| Situation | Risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Partner has an active cold sore | Highest | No oral contact until it has fully healed |
| Partner has tingling but no visible sore | High — prodrome | Avoid contact |
| No sore, no symptoms | Lower, not zero — asymptomatic shedding | This is why HSV-1 is so widespread |
| Oral sex during an outbreak | Can cause genital HSV-1 | See cold sore exposure |
What to watch for after exposure
Tingling or burning, then a cluster of small blisters — typically within days. If that happens, come in the same day and have it swabbed, while viral load is highest. If nothing appears, a blood test can tell you about past exposure, but interpret it with a physician: routine HSV serology screening is not recommended by CDC for the general population, and IgM testing is not recommended at all.
Do not accept an HSV IgM blood test. CDC does not recommend it. If there is a sore, swab the sore. See lesion PCR vs. antibody.
We name drugs, never doses. Antiviral therapy follows CDC guidance; what you take is decided by a licensed physician.
The single most useful thing on this page. If you have a sore right now, get it swabbed today — lesion PCR identifies HSV and types it. Sensitivity falls as the sore dries. Sample by 1:00 PM → result at 4:30 PM → licensed partner-network physician 4:30–6:00 PM. Same day. Walk in, no appointment, no insurance. Text (713) 832-8892.
FAQ
- Can I get herpes from a glass or a towel?
- HSV does not survive well on surfaces; direct contact is the dominant route. Do not share lip products or utensils during an outbreak.
- Does having HSV-1 mean I am unclean?
- No. It is one of the most common infections in the world and most people got it as children. It is a virus, not a verdict.
- Should my partner get tested?
- If they have a sore, yes — swab it today. If not, discuss with the physician whether serology answers anything useful.
- Is there treatment?
- Antiviral therapy reduces outbreaks and transmission. A licensed physician decides — same day, 4:30–6:00 PM.
The sore will crust over in a few days — and the test gets less reliable as it does.
Walk in today. Result at 4:30 PM. Licensed partner-network physician 4:30–6:00 PM if you need treatment. No appointment, no insurance — Save up to 40% compared to urgent care.
📱 Text (713) 832-8892 — fastest
📞 Call (713) 266-0808
Walk in today. Result at 4:30 PM. Licensed partner-network physician 4:30–6:00 PM if you need treatment. No appointment, no insurance — Save up to 40% compared to urgent care.
📱 Text (713) 832-8892 — fastest
📞 Call (713) 266-0808
3707 Westcenter Dr Suite 100, Houston, TX 77042 · Mon–Fri 9–5 · Walk-ins welcome · CLIA #45D2048957 · CAP #8722734