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Herpes Risk
5 1/2 weeks ago a prostitute gave me a hand job, first with saliva then with hand cream. During this, we lightly kissed on the lips for 1-2 minutes, no tongue. I have had no symptoms of herpes, what is my risk of exposure? What test will confirm if I have been exposed?
This is a first time outside a committed relationship and I am terrified. I immediately contacted an online testing center and had tests that confirmed no syphilis, no prior hsv1 or 2, but some kind of early detection test for herpes came back positive. The person I spoke with said other past viruses like chicken pox could produce this positive test.
What is my real risk of either hsv 1 or 2? I have a follow up test scheduled for wednesday at the 6 week mark. Should I have any concerns about that accuracy?
Thanks,
This is a first time outside a committed relationship and I am terrified. I immediately contacted an online testing center and had tests that confirmed no syphilis, no prior hsv1 or 2, but some kind of early detection test for herpes came back positive. The person I spoke with said other past viruses like chicken pox could produce this positive test.
What is my real risk of either hsv 1 or 2? I have a follow up test scheduled for wednesday at the 6 week mark. Should I have any concerns about that accuracy?
Thanks,
Dr Hook,
Thank you for your quick response. Your advice helps alleviate some of my concerns.
In your experience, how much credibility should I put in the first set of tests I got, that indicated a positive for a potential near term exposure to hsv?
The follow up test is scheduled for wednesday and already pre-paid for - is there any risk of false information coming from this test? Is there any reason I should do it, other than to elliminate any remaining concerns?
Thank you for your advice.
Thank you for your quick response. Your advice helps alleviate some of my concerns.
In your experience, how much credibility should I put in the first set of tests I got, that indicated a positive for a potential near term exposure to hsv?
The follow up test is scheduled for wednesday and already pre-paid for - is there any risk of false information coming from this test? Is there any reason I should do it, other than to elliminate any remaining concerns?
Thank you for your advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your risk of herpes is close to zero. Here are the facts as they relate to your exposure:
1. Herpes is very common. In North America over 20% of adults have HSV-2 infection (this virus typically causes genital herpes) and over 60% have HSV-1, the virus which causes cold sores bout can also cause genital herpes following oral sex. It is likely the rates are even higher in commercial sex workers.
2. Despite that, most persons without herpes infections do not get herpes if exposed to persons with herpes infections.
3. Herpes infections are spread by direct, not indirect, contact. Herpes is not spread by masturbation, even if your partner used her saliva for lubrication.
4. There is a minimal risk of having gotten HSV-1 cold sores from kissing her however, if that was going to occur, lesions would be expected to appear between 4 and 10 days after exposure. If you have not seen lesions yet, you will not.
5. In the absence of noting lesions, my advice is not to bother to get tested. It will be negative.
For answers to additional questions and information about herpes can be obtained by accessing excellent informational web sites such as the one run by the American Social Health Association (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of Directors of ASHA). Please take a look, the site is very informative.
Hope these comments help. You are not at risk for herpes form the exposure you describe and need not worry. EWH
1. Herpes is very common. In North America over 20% of adults have HSV-2 infection (this virus typically causes genital herpes) and over 60% have HSV-1, the virus which causes cold sores bout can also cause genital herpes following oral sex. It is likely the rates are even higher in commercial sex workers.
2. Despite that, most persons without herpes infections do not get herpes if exposed to persons with herpes infections.
3. Herpes infections are spread by direct, not indirect, contact. Herpes is not spread by masturbation, even if your partner used her saliva for lubrication.
4. There is a minimal risk of having gotten HSV-1 cold sores from kissing her however, if that was going to occur, lesions would be expected to appear between 4 and 10 days after exposure. If you have not seen lesions yet, you will not.
5. In the absence of noting lesions, my advice is not to bother to get tested. It will be negative.
For answers to additional questions and information about herpes can be obtained by accessing excellent informational web sites such as the one run by the American Social Health Association (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of Directors of ASHA). Please take a look, the site is very informative.
Hope these comments help. You are not at risk for herpes form the exposure you describe and need not worry. EWH
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
