could i have contracted genital herpes from giving oral sex to an infected person?

Hello,

I'm worried. I gave oral sex to a guy who has genital herpes. He didn't have any sores or visible signs, but apparently he has it. He didn't ejaculate in my mouth and it didn't last very long, but I'm really terrified that i might have it... can i have contracted genital herpes in this way? how likely do you think it is? or will i get oral herpes and only that? thank you so much for taking the time to listen to me. i am in a real panic now. i'm going straigt to the GUM clinic but can't stop thinking about it. i don't have any symptoms- it was only 2 days ago. thanks

[himcdonough1]

the answer is you can get either HSV-2 or HSV-1 from giving someone with HSV-2 or HSV-1 oral sex. be careful about using the term "genital" or "oral" as HSV1 and HSV2 can occur in eithere place.

If he has genital herpes, he either has HSV1 (normally oral but on the rise as genital) or HSV2 (normally genital but can occur orally, I know because that is what i have) and either CAN be transmitted to your mouth (oral) during oral sex. That said, if he had no sores or visible signs, then you are in the realm of "was he asymptomatically shedding" and that generally occurs it seems about 10% of the days for most people (36 days a year). I dont know how to do statistics but it would end up in the chances of it being one of those 36 days and you contracting it (10% i would guess but i think other factors would lower that number for you). Unfortunately, it appears relatively easy to contract if someone is shedding, especially as the mouth is a big mucous membrane.

I know it is tough, but your smartest move is to wait 30 days and then get a type specific test both iGM and iGG. In that time keep an eye for any signs. If you need piece of mind, requestatest.com offers early detection tests (iGM) but they are non-type specific and unreliable.

I would ensure no further potential exposure for the next 30 days, try to cope with anxiety (if you have it, you have it, there is nothing you can do), and get the test in 30 days. MOST people will develop detectable antibodies in 4 weeks (some take 12). If at 4 weeks you have no symptoms and a negative test, i would say you are 90% in the clear. If you can, try to avoid further potential exposure for 90 days and get tested again at 90.

[Mistakeguy789]

Please do not use an IgM test.  They are a flawed test and shouldn't at all be used for diagnosis of HSV.

There is a very long post about why IgM is a flawed test. I would invite you and the previous poster to review a long in my journal entry.  (This was reviewed before being posted by grace).  You are welcome to look at the thread in there that will best help you for HSV IGM.  

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/173049/Herpes-IgM-Testing?personal_page_id=991408

If the person had genital HSV and you preformed unprotected oral sex on that person your chances of having HSV are low (oral sex is considered low risk for HSV).  Without signs and symptoms of HSV being present (and the fact he knows he has it will lead to that meaning he could know what to look for) means you are low risk.  Genital HSV-1 if that is what he has does NOT shed a lot.  

Without seeing symptoms in a few weeks chances you got anything are even further low since herpes displays typically 2-20 days.

[blahdyblah]

thank you so much for your responses. by symptoms are we talking coldsores/ cankers? i won't get genital herpes (sorry i know that's not the term, but the location...it just keeps it simper in my head) from this? if i have contracted anything it will be confined to the oral location?

i'll look out for any symptoms and then get a test in 30 days or so. what a nightmare, but thank you, i am a little reassured now.

thanks

[gracefromHHP]

in this case your use of genital herpes has been perfectly proper in all your posts.  


if you contracted herpes from performing oral on this partner, you'd have symptoms in your mouth within the next few weeks. No reason to see the gum clinic if you don't have any symptoms because honestly, not a darn thing they will do for you ( especially since it's not your genital area that was exposed and that's the part they deal with ).  You'd have either a very sore throat, lesions inside your  mouth and/or obvious cold sores if you had contracted herpes from this encounter.  If none of those occur , no reason to suspect that you contracted herpes orally from this encounter.

Unless it's a regular partner who's std status you are aware of it, it's always a good idea to only perform protected oral sex ( as well as receive only protected oral sex ). Saves you all this worry :)

grace