Transmission risk?

[Cdawson]

I heard that herpes transmission happens through vaginal/anal sex as well as oral. However it's also skin to skin contact. What if there was unprotected contact in my bikini area? His penis was never near my vagina lips or anything but it was on my pubic area (not between my legs, the front part). He says he hasn't been tested for herpes but has never had an outbreak and has no reason to think he has it. No sores that I could see. He rubbed his penis on the area a decent amount and this happened a few times. It wasn't recent but I'm worried about it still. I do shave the area.

[Fleetwood20]

Yes that's right. The virus has to get through the skin to a nerve ending. Hence sensitive, mucous surfaces like the mouth and vagina are prime candidates given the abundance of nerves and nature of skin.

[Cdawson]

Thank you! I'm hoping that since its been a while since I've seen him and we will probably never see each other again, he was being honest with me. When you mentioned how sensitive the vagina is, do you mean there would be an even lower risk of transmission since it wasn't on the inside of my vagina and was just on regular skin? Just want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding anything

[Fleetwood20]

Without visible sores, this would be an extremely low risk event. Yes skin to skin is required, but think how sensitive and teeming with nerve endings your vagina is.

He is also right in the sense that without a reason to think he has herpes, then he most probably doesn't. Most people do not lie if asked the direct question regarding herpes. They may not tell, but they won't tend to lie.