Denied HSV1&2 blood tests, oral sex risks

[ledodge]

Hello,
I am a 26 year old male living in Sydney, Australia. Last week I was tested for all STD's excluding HSV1&2 and the results were negative. Testing was conducted well over a month since I'd last had unprotected vaginal sex. Over the last few months though, I've had numerous unprotected blowjobs from different girls. I remember earlier in the year having a doctor include HSV1&2 in blood tests and I was confirmed negative for both. My question is around HSV transmission since my Doctor decided not to let me test.

I've had no blisters orally or genitally. Recently I've had an irritated/red meatus which prompted me to be tested for STD's. There are no other noteworthy symptoms. All the tests came back negative yet the irritation remains (too much caffeine/alcohol maybe?). I've read that a large majority of people are asymptomatic for HSV infections so is it possible I'd transacted the disease considering I usually use protection for vaginal sex and don't for fellatio? Can you please provide rough statistical odds for unprotected blowjobs? I am uncircumcised if that makes a difference? I've never noticed an obvious oral or vaginal blister on any of my partners, yet one did seem to have a red mark near her lips (healing pimple maybe - not an open sore). The second part of my question is - would it be unusual for a newly infected person with HSV to not have a primary outbreak/blisters? I've had doctors tell me before that 'if you had caught herpes, you'd know it'. Some material on these forums suggest otherwise. Please confirm if I am at significant risk or if I can stop worrying about having caught genital/oral herpes. Also, would the tests (1 month after last vaginal exposure) be near conclusive for all other STD's?

Please excuse the long message and numerous questions. Let me know if I'm required to pay for each question individually.

Thanks,

Ledodge

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This is a bit on an unrelated question although it does show that you continue to be nervous about HSV. What you describe, as well as its timing oes not suggest HSV.  This coul be a cyst or some other benign dermatological problem. It does not suggest HSV.  Given your continuuing concern, you may want your own doctor to take a look.  As before, there is little to be gained by testing this for HSV unless I have completely mis-interpreted your description.  EWH

[ledodge]

Hi Doc, I posted this in dermatology as I am unsure if it could be considered related to my original question.

Hello Doc,
Today whilst urinating I noticed tiny red pimple like bumps on the underside of my foreskin and head of my penis. I have not had unprotected vaginal or oral sex in over a month. Also, I tested negative to HSV1&2 a few moths back with a blood test. I haven't noticed any discharge and the bumps are not particularly painful. They are not fluid filled. I hadn't showered all w/e 40 hrs + and have masturbated 4 times. I have also recently completed two courses of antibiotics to treat a chest infection.

Does this look like herpes or just pimples due to poor hygeine? Could it be something else? I am anxious about STD's so if this is herpes it is definitely the primary/first outbreak (I check myself frequently).

Thanks.

*please review if I've posted in the wrong area or if you deem it relevant enough to the above for your consideration

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. I agree with your doctor and would have declined to test you for herpes as well. In the absence of signs of infection your likelihood of having a falsely positive test is higher than your risk of getting HSV.

In the absence of lesions, your risk of getting genital HSV from receipt of oral sex from an unknown partner is low, probably less than 1 in 10,000.

Most experts believe that most initial herpes is not asymptomatic but that it is missed because people attribute their lesions and sores to other causes.  In your case, your vigilance makes this unlikely.

My advice is to not worry and to not seek un-needed testing. If the prospect of getting HSV worries you a lot, I'd suggest condoms.  EWH