Possible HSV-2 exposure

[Cubs69]

Good afternoon doctors. Two months ago I visited a massage parlor and besides the normal massage and handjob I engaged in sex with the woman whom I have known for sometime. Before sex I put a condom on, but during it broke wide open. I asked her if she has ever had any stds and she said no. I've had hsv-1 orally for about 30 years. Could I have contracted hsv-2 from this exposure. I want to believe this woman but I realize some people are unaware they are infected and some are afraid to tell you. She doesnt seem like the kind of person that does this all the time. I have seen her for years and we never had sex before. I haven't had any symptoms since then except for some slight pain on the left side of my penis due to excessive masterbation. I keep examining that side of my penis but have never had any lesions or blisters. I presume the pain is from masterbation cause that is the only time I have it. I

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.   Your risk for herpes following a single exposure is quite low and from the sounds of things, you did not get herpes from the exposure you describe.  Let me provide some figures to support my statements.

Even if your partner has had many previous partners, it is not a sure thing that she has HSV. Less than 50% of Americans who have had more than 50 sex partners have genital herpes. Even if she does have HSV, the risk of becoming infected following a single exposure is quite low.  We estimate that upon sexual encounters with an infected partner, transmission of herpes in the absence of lesions occurs no more than once in 1000 sex acts.  The numbers are certainly on your side.  Further, had you acquired herpes, it would be expected that you would develop an initial outbreak within two weeks of your exposure. This has not happened.  You need not worry about herpes further- you’re in the clear.

As for your discomfort following masturbation, I agree with you.  The timing and frequency make is sound like a consequence of masturbation, not recurring genital herpes.

I hope these comments help. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. time for you to move forward from here.  Take care. EWH

[Cubs69]

Hey Doc, I wanted to inform you that as you probably predicted, my HSV-2 type specific test came back negative. I just needed that reassurance   Thanks. Would you recommend any further testing. I was at 10 weeks post exposure at the time of testing. Still no signs or symptoms of genital herpes.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

A small proportion of peole who acquire HSV either do not have outbreaks or do not recognize outreaks when they occur however it is uncommon.

Sorry to hear that you chose to test.  Your likelyhood of having a flase postive result is higher than your likelyhood of finding that you acquired HSV at the encounter you described. that is the reason we do not recommend testing.  If your results are positive we can try to resolve them but there is no reason to discuss this further until you know your result.  EWH

[Cubs69]

Hey Doc, I wanted some reassurance so I got an hsv-1 and 2 igg test and are waiting for the results. It has been almost 10 weeks since the sexual encounter. Should I worry about the results? Is it possible for someone to aquire hsv-2 and not have an initial outbreak until months later? I have not had any symptoms since the encounter. I am very familiar with typical hsv-1 outbreaks since I have had them since I was a kid. I apologize for asking these questions again but I have read that some people stay asymptomatic and don't have an outbreak until much later. Thanks  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. EWH

[Cubs69]

Thanks Doc, I can get quite paranoid about stds.

[Cubs69]

I wanted to mention that the slight pain in my penis only lasted a couple days. I was tested 5 months ago and was negative for HSV-2.