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STDs (Expert Forum)
Concerned about herpes after rape (sort of)
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Concerned about herpes after rape (sort of)
by shushshush, Mar 20, 2005 12:00AM
My question is this. Several months ago, I was with someone who tried to forcibly have sex with me. He wasn't wearing a condom, and he got only about an inch in because I kept pushing him out. All my other partners have been oral sex only (me on them or them on me). Understandably, I was concerned about STDs after this episode. I went and got checked out but I am not sure I understood what my doctor was saying and she was kind of abrupt with me. She said "I was probably exposed to herpes at or around that time period but if there are no lesions then don't worry about it." What does that really mean? Does that mean I DO or DO NOT have herpes? I had some small blisters under my tongue and fever for a while but that might have just been the flu? Was that herpes? My vaginal area was very roughed up and he scratched me up somewhat too, he was pretty rough. What if I saw raw skin there and just didn't know it was a lesion? What if the lesion was inside and I didn't see it? Should I get tested again? Am I putting possible future partners at risk? What happens if I kiss someone, will they catch it if I have it? And what happens if I give someone oral sex do they catch it? What happens if someone I kissed then gives me oral sex? Will I get genital herpes if I only had oral herpes before? Sorry to flood you with so many questions but I am scared and my doctor isn't being very forthcoming. Thank you so much.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Mar 20, 2005 12:00AM
, Mar 20, 2005 12:00AM
Please accept my sympathy and empathy for what you are going through. But at the same time, also my apology for not being able to take the time to answer all those questions. Please go to the link at the top of the STD Forum, "STD Quick Facts and Articles" and read about herpes; also other websites, such as CDC (www.cdc.gov) or the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org), and many, many threads on this forum about herpes transmission both genitally and orally, ways to diagnose it, etc. Then come back if you still have questions.
But not to leave you totally high and dry: Your risk of herpes from that exposure almost certainly is very low. The provider who examined you doesn't know what she was talking about--or at least communicated with you poorly about it. There is an excellent blood test (HerpeSelect by name--see other threads) that can accurately tell you whether or not you are infected with HSV-1, HSV-2, both, or neither.
Other participants in the forum may have the time and energy to answer more of your specific questions. But don't rely only on that information; do some research on your own. Mostly you will find you need not be very concerned!
Good luck-- HHH, MD
But not to leave you totally high and dry: Your risk of herpes from that exposure almost certainly is very low. The provider who examined you doesn't know what she was talking about--or at least communicated with you poorly about it. There is an excellent blood test (HerpeSelect by name--see other threads) that can accurately tell you whether or not you are infected with HSV-1, HSV-2, both, or neither.
Other participants in the forum may have the time and energy to answer more of your specific questions. But don't rely only on that information; do some research on your own. Mostly you will find you need not be very concerned!
Good luck-- HHH, MD
