Worried I may have been exposed to herpes

[Lla0260]

Hi, I am a 24 yr old female that had sex with a male who I don't know very well 8 days ago. We started off using condoms but eventually ended up having both vaginal sex and oral sex with out condoms. The next day I started my period and had abnormally painful cramps, nausea, and loss of appetite. Towards the end of the day I started feeling a strange burning / tingling feeling in my genitals (not in one specific spot but all over). The burning and tingling has continued off and on, again not in one spot but all around my genitals including spent my butt/thighs. I keep checking down there and have not seen any bumps or lesions and also had my gyno inspect the area yesterday and perform a full exam. She said everything looked ok and took the chlamydia/ghonnorea/yeast/bc swabs... I will have the results tomorrow. I was also feeling a little sick the following 4 days after the encounter (mild sore throat and nausea) but I'm not sure if I was just hungover and having abnormal cramps/nausea due to my period etc. It is also worth noting I started birth control pills the day after the sexual encounter (I had gone off of the pill for a few months)

I've been having major anxiety and haven't been able to sleep or think about much else. I also told the guy I was concerned and asked if he had had any issues and he said he has not has any symptoms. Previous to this encounter I know I was 100% clean because I had just been tested for all stds and had been in a monogamous relationship for 9 months.  I have also experienced the burning down my thighs/ butt before over the summer which the dr attributed to a heat rash but the feeling I have now is similar. It may also be worth noting I have been diagnosed w "itchy" skin issues down there in the past that were not std related....but this feels like more of a burning sensation
I've also had a slight headache but grind my teeth so believe it is from that.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The average time from infection to symptoms, if there are going to be sores, is 5.5 days.  There are bacteria and fungi that can definitely cause symptoms in the genital area.  Let's see how those tests that were taken turn out.

Terri

[Lla0260]

Thanks Terri. I did specifically ask if my panel included the herpes blood tests and my doctor said it did and the results for both type 1 and 2
we're negative. I will ask the guy to get tested as well. A few more questions -----how long after the burning/tingling do sores usually appear because it's been 8 days now and no sores or lesions? Is the burning wide spread or in one location (mine is wide spread) and  what do you think could be causing this if not an std?
Thanks !

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think the chances of you acquiring herpes at a single encounter is really low.  Did you ask the person involved if he would consider testing for herpes because you are concerned?  Did you actually see that your STD testing panel included herpes testing?  I would not make that assumption, unless you had seen the results.  

I don't think your symptoms are consistent with new herpes.  And most people who contract herpes, when they develop sores, will do so within 2-10 days of the exposure.  If you had an exam from your doctor just yesterday, I seriously doubt that you have new herpes.  

I would recommend that you 1) ask the guy if he would agree to be tested - offer to pay since it is you that is worried and 2) check your STD test results to see if herpes testing for HSV 1 and 2 IgG was actually done and 3) if you develop any specific sores, go in right away to be tested.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Terri