1st post very concerned

Hello, this is my first post to this forum although I did post to the STD forum earlier this evening.  5 days ago, I received oral sex from a stripper.  I'm not sure whether I have HSV 1 orally or not but I'm in my 40s so I suppose it's likely.  My questions are 1) what are the odds of contracting genital herpes in this manner and 2) how soon do symptoms typically show up?  I'd also like to confirm when enough time has elapsed to have a conclusive result.  I've heard elsewhere that if lesions don't appear within two weeks the likelihood of being infected is greatly reduced.  Is this true?

Thanks to all of you for the time in answering.

[mk78]

Hello Grace. I just wanted to be sure you hadn't missed this post.  I hope I haven't done anything wrong in placing this post in this forum.  Thank you for any information.  I really appreciate your kindness and knowledge.

[AzaleaSea]

Hi there. I'm obviously not Grace, but I may be able to answer.
At the age of 40, yes it is very likely that you have HSV-1 already (most of us get it as kids) or it is very likely that you have been exposed to it way before this incident.
From what I know, lesions usually appear within 10-20 days. If there are no lesions in that time frame, then chances that you were infected are low. However, no lesions doesn't necessarily mean no herpes.
Your incident was/is considered low-risk. You didn't say if it was protected oral or not. If it was, then chances are barely existent. If not, then it is still very very low, with all things considered.
For genital HSV-2, it is 3 months. I am uncertain if this is accurate for HSV-1.

[gracefromHHP]

I work full time. I even sleep sometimes.  really!

we already discussed your risk in std. we also discussed how if you had contracted something, odds are you wouldn't be wondering, you'd KNOW you had.  same goes with hsv1 genitally - folks who are vulnerable to it because they don't already have it orally, tend to get very obvious and painful ob's if infected.

grace

[mk78]

Grace, I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to imply you were ignoring my post.  Thank you very much for answering.  I just thought you might have missed it. My apologies and I truly appreciate your time.

[gracefromHHP]

I get to them all eventually :)

[mk78]

I just realized I didn't thank you for posting an answer to my question.  I greatly appreciate it.

Best...

[mk78]

Hello, Grace.  Tomorrow it will be 12 days since the possible exposure.  Since then, while I have not had any discharge or obvious lesions, I have had some itching/mild redness on the right side of my penis shaft just beneath the head.  It almost appears like a lesion might be forming there but it's difficult to tell.  My question is once an initial OB is happening or about to occur does it do so very gradually or does it move quickly?  Also, what should I be looking for to determine whether I need to take additional action?  Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

sounds like you need to find a better hobby than checking out your nether regions?

you wouldn't wonder if you were starting to break out with herpes, You'd know!

[mk78]

Thanks Grace. From your reply it sounds like the lesions would develop quickly and there would be little doubt that something major was going on.  I ask because there is so much information out there emphasizing that herpes can be symptomless and that there is not a typical case.  You're absolutely right that I need another hobby and believe me I wish I could put this behind me.  Are there any signs I should be looking for that would indicate herpes is a concern other than lesions?  Thank you for helping me.

[gracefromHHP]

if you were negative for hsv1 prior to this and contracted it, you'd have very obvious symptoms, not anything mild that you could over look.

really, unless you have pain that is interrupting your day because it's that obvious, no reason to be checking out the lil guy unless you are aiming while urinating. it's not worth it and adds to your anxiety needlessly. if you want, once a week give him a decent look over but really no reason for daily inspections.

[mk78]

One last thing: I'm considering getting an IgG test. I know it's early for a positive result but it would show if I was previously infected wouldn't it? What are your thoughts on that? The test is expensive but perhaps it's worth it.

I appreciate your compassion as I do my best to work through this.  Thanks.

[mk78]

Grace, one last thing: I'm considering an IgG test.  At 12 days out that won't show whether i contracted Herpes from this last encounter but it would show if I had it previously, correct?  The test is expensive but perhaps it's worthwhile?

Thanks for your compassion as I do my best to work through this.

[mk78]

Sorry for the double post.  My mistake.

[mk78]

Referring to my earlier posts, I was a bit long winded so I'll clean it up to make it easier to understand.  So far I've tested negative to chlam and gono. My main concern now is herpes and I'm thinking of getting an IgG test next week.  I have two questions on this:

1) At what will be about 20 days past exposure (if there was one), the test would answer definitively whether or not I have antibodies to HSV 1/2 at the moment of the test.  This would not answer whether it came from that particular incident but if it comes back negative is it safe to assume that I did NOT have HSV prior to that incident?

2) Today is 14 days after my possible exposure.  I was diagnosed with epyditimitis based only on my description of symptoms.  Is testicular pain of that nature a common herpes symptom without lesions?

3) I've had pretty bad anxiety over all this, and one symptom I've noticed is

[mk78]

Sorry ran out of space.  Last question is what are some common anxiety driven symptoms I should be on the lookout for?

Thank you!

[gracefromHHP]

At this point continue to follow up on your symptoms as needed. too early for testing and your symptoms aren't consistent with genital herpes.

[mk78]

Hello Grace, I hope you had a nice holiday.  I have a few additional questions I could use your help on.
1. Today is the 18th day after my potential exposure.  I have heard that if an outbreak doesn't occur within 20 days or so that is a good sign.  Do you agree?
2. I have had some minor itchy spots (they just feel irritated) but still no lesions. Should I be concerned about this?  I put Gold Bond powder on them yesterday and it seemed to calm them down for the entire day.  Should I be concerned?
3. I still plan on taking an IgG test this week.  I know its only 3 weeks post but it would confirm if the virus was present previously, wouldn't it?

Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

as I said previously, if you  have symptoms, be seen.

don't waste time or money on testing at this point. wait and test at the appropriate times.

[mk78]

Grace I posted this to Terri's forum as well - I'd really appreciate your help.  Update: I now have developed what appears to be a single pimple (blister) on the shaft of my penis and am very worried. Observations: 1) very small, perhaps 1-2 mm 2) hard to determine if there is direct pain there but seems so 3) still only a single lesion if we call it that 4) came on suddenly yesterday 5) no flu-like symptoms 6) did have what I thought was a mild pulled hamstring about 3 days ago - not sure if related 7) red with slightly raised center but no defined white center as of yet.  Yesterday was 22 days out from the initial exposure if one occurred.

I think I read that pictures are not encouraged on this site but I am happy to provide one. I'm very scared at this point and could use some advice. Thank you!

[mk78]

A little more info: it's on the shaft of my penis about midway up on the right hand side. It is not overly red or painful in fact I dont feel any pain from it.  It is very small and shaped more like an oval or rectangle (approximately 2mm x 1mm). The day before yesterday I masturbated, really just to assure myself there would be no pain with my regular partner when we resumed having sex. No issues there but I did not use any lubrication. Perhaps this is just a blister from that? I suspect not as it does not seem to be painful or irritated.  Thank you very much.