Could I have herpes?

[JL700]

Hi, First let me say that I have not had any sexual contact since February of 2009, and I am absolutely paranoid about STD's.  I recently started a new job where my coworker had a coldsore. Being that I'm so worried about STD's, sometimes while I'm using the restroom, if I feel even the slighest twinge,  I will check/feel around for any bumps, etc. And btw, I know this is crazy behavior lol. My first question is: could I have transferred herpes to myself genitally by doing this, (say, after touching something directly after her and then touching my own skin while in the bathroom?). And secondly, I took a blood test about 2 weeks after this "exposure" and it came back negative, meaning that before this, at least, I had never gotten herpes. Now, however, I have developed a small cut/tear around my anus. I went to an urgent care Dr, who told me it was just a fissure and nothing to worry about, and also a GYN who said it was probably nothing, we could do a culture if I felt it necessary, but she was 99% sure it was nothing. With that said, do you think my tear/cut is possibly a sign of herpes? Or just from straining, etc? (I've always had hemorrhoids). So basically, could these new symptoms be from working with someone who had a cold sore and then touching my own skin? Is it really that easy to transmit? Or can I put the whole thing behind me? Thank you!

[gracefromHHP]

if you've had full std testing since sowing your oats in college, you know you don't have std's.  be educated on them, not fearful!

grace

[JL700]

I guess I just feel guilty for the things I did while in college, even though they weren't out of the norm for a 21 year old college girl lol. I just don't want to have to worry about it anymore, and was doing really well up until this coworker incident. I'm glad you think its pretty much impossible for me to have given myself herpes in this way, and I really appreciate all you do on this board, as I've read quite a few of your posts. The internet is scary with all the sites saying that pretty much anything can be herpes, and your words have helped put my mind at ease. I will try to think of these cuts as nothing more than cuts and let them heal. Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

herpes is transmitted through direct skin on skin contact. You would've had to been kissing this coworker to have been at risk. you won't give yourself genital herpes from touching yourself.

you were seen by 2 providers who didn't feel that your anal symptoms were due to herpes.  

why the herpes paranoia?

grace