Drunk and Stupid

I am working overseas in Africa and was recently out with a group of friends having some drinks and a good time.  Some of them left early but my buzz was going well so I decided to stick around and have a few more drinks and dance.  I ended up drinking more than I should have and making the single biggest mistake of my life because of my drunken stupor.  I was talking with some women (most likely prostitutes) and got them some drinks and chatted them up a bit.  Later, one of them came back to my room with me where she performed oral sex on me for maybe a minute or two (I never came).  Then I fingered her for a bit before masturbating at the end.  The oral sex did not last long and I never came until the masturbation.  What are my chances that I may have contracted herpes from the oral sex, or from the masturbation after fingering her vagina?  Are there any other STDs I need to get checked for?  I do not remember seeing any visual signs of herpes on her mouth but I can't say that I really looked, I was too drunk to really notice.  I hope you'll be able to answer me soon as I'm in a complete and utter state of depression and have been having serious anxiety attacks.  I realize how stupid this was and why I should never drink again (something I aim to get help with).  Thanks again for making this forum available to those of us that have made and plan to learn from our mistakes.

[gracefromHHP]

this is low risk in general.  

have you ever had a herpes test to know your own status or can you recall ever having had cold sores?  

no risk from the masturbation or your finger in her vagina as far as std's.

grace

[newbeginnings2011]

Hi Grace,
I have not had a herpes test nor have I remembered having cold sores but I was under the impression that you had to have an outbreak of herpes of some sort in order for them to tell whether you've got hsv-1 or hsv-2?  I have had STD tests before that came back negative, but I don't know exactly what was tested, it was just a swab test.  I was under the impression that you can get a blood test for hsv1 and hsv2 antibodies but that the test is not that accurate.

Although you said the activity was low risk in general, is there any possibility of getting hsv2? I think this is the more severe virus strain?

Lastly, my understanding is that the herpes can be transferred from skin contact, so I assumed that if I had it on my finger, it would be possible to get in say any area you touched?  

Thanks so much for your quick reply.  You've made whats been a difficult period a little bit easier.  And for that I am very thankful.  I hope that one day I can make a generous donation to support a cause such as medhelp.org.  

[gracefromHHP]

you don't need actual symptoms to be tested for herpes. you can get a type specific herpes igg blood test done that is accurate.  

you are very unlikely to contract hsv2 from having oral performed on you. Not many folks have it orally in general and those who do, the virus rarely sheds to be transmitted to a partner through oral.  

the skin on the hands is generally too thick for herpes to infect easily.  

[newbeginnings2011]

Hi Grace,
Thanks for your continued help here.  It is very appreciated.  A few more questions:

1.  How much should I expect to pay for the IGG tests for HSV1 and HSV2?
2.  What do you recommend getting tested for?
3.  If I did contract HSV-1 from the oral, what is the likelihood of passing it to others?
4.  How long would it take for the bood test results?  A couple days?  Weeks?
5.  Just curious, what is your background?  Nurse? Doctor?  

Thanks again.

[gracefromHHP]

no idea what you'll pay in africa.  blood tests typically are back within 48 hours but it depends on when they send it out and how often the lab runs their tests. you'll need to ask specifically how long they typically take at the clinic you are at.

I am a RN but I am here as one very well educated patient to another :)

hsv1 genitally doesn't shed very often so the risk of transmission to a partner is minimal.

grace