Dear Dr Edward,
Thanks again for the reply. I will take your educated & experienced advice then and not test unless symptoms arise. I'm a little more worried now as my partner has developed an ulcer inside her mouth today (not on her lips), but I will take the benefit of the doubt and assume it is unrelated.
Thank you on advising on the best tests, much appreciated.
Although I advise against testing, if you feel you need to test, since there is no particular event which you need to worry about, you can test at any time. In doing so, the right test to do is a type specific, gG-based test for HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG such as the HerpeSelect. I would recommend against testing for IgM antibodies since, no matter what people say, these tests do not provide useful information. EWH
Dear Dr Hook,
Thank you dearly for your speedy & very helpful response.
I actually was not that concerned about the cracked lips as a symptom of oral herpes, just as concerned that it may have increased my risk of infection yesterday.
It makes sense (noting the research you reference), that my risk is no higher for this than my other encounters.
And yes you're right, my partner should test too. That does sound like an unfriendly can of worms that could be very messy if opened.
Sorry, may I just re-ask though, can you advise on the testing? How long before testing (to include my last encounter in the results) & what type would I need?
Thank you again, hearing that little herpes is acquired through sexual contact is comforting.
Welcome to the forum. I'll provide some information which I hope you'll find helpful.
First, I agree, the encounter you describe should not have put you at risk for HIV or any of the typical STDs. No penetration, no risk. HIV and other STDs are not transmitted by kissing either, even deep kissing.
Now, for the possibility of oral herpes. What you describe does not sound like oral herpes, it sounds like cracked lips, perhaps because you have been, consciously or unconsciously, licking them or perhaps are in a low humidity environment (or both). Oral herpes presents as oral blisters and open sores, not cracks.
So, finally, about your risk of oral herpes. I suspect you have kissed others and if so, your risk of getting oral HSV-1 from this encounter is no higher than from other persons you’ve kissed . Research shows that oral herpes due to HSV-1 is not more common in persons at high risk for STDs than it is in the general population. This is because relatively little herpes is acquired through sexual contact and most is acquired through other sorts of oral contact, most often in childhood. If you have not worried about oral herpes before, I see no reason to do so now. Further if you are going to test because of concern about your partner, then shouldn't she test too, just in case. After all, if you don’t have it and there is a 50% chance of her having it, you could be at risk to. this is a "can of worms" which I would not open if I were you. EWH