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STDs (Expert Forum)
Chance of Herpes infection
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Chance of Herpes infection
by bing84, Sep 03, 2005 12:00AM
Last night I had protected sex with a girl (im a hetero Male), there may have been some penile to vaginal contact during the foreplay, but no unprotected insertion. I didnt notice any sores or blisters that would indicate an outbreak. I was just wondering what the risk of catching herpes from this incident would be. I have also heard that the chances of contracting stds from a single exposure of vaginal contact is low and that males have a harder time catching stds. Any info you could provide would be great.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Sep 03, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 03, 2005 12:00AM
The risk of herpes from the exposure you describe must be very low. In monogamous couples in which one person has herpes and the other doesn't, who have sex an average of 3 times a week, and who do not use condoms, only about 3% of the uninfected partners acquire herpes per year. Now translate that to your exposure. Probably too low a risk to measure, even if your partner has genital herpes.
The risk of STD transmission from any single exposure varies from one STD to another. If a woman has gonorrhea, her male partner has around a 20% chance of catching it for each episode of unprotected vaginal intercourse. For gonorrhea transmission in the male-to-female direction, the risk is around 50% per unprotected exposure--which is more than twice the risk of female-to-male. The risk for chlamydia transmission in either direction may be somewhat lower, but the difference for male-female vs female-male holds up. It also holds for herpes and HIV. Probably not much difference, though, for HPV infection.
Both men and women in noncommitted relationships should use condoms. I know, you have heard it before--but it's true.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
The risk of STD transmission from any single exposure varies from one STD to another. If a woman has gonorrhea, her male partner has around a 20% chance of catching it for each episode of unprotected vaginal intercourse. For gonorrhea transmission in the male-to-female direction, the risk is around 50% per unprotected exposure--which is more than twice the risk of female-to-male. The risk for chlamydia transmission in either direction may be somewhat lower, but the difference for male-female vs female-male holds up. It also holds for herpes and HIV. Probably not much difference, though, for HPV infection.
Both men and women in noncommitted relationships should use condoms. I know, you have heard it before--but it's true.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
HHH, MD