Do I have herpes please help

[Nickds1990]

I had protected sex 12 days ago one nightstand. I haven’t had any blisters or sores/lesions do you think I could have caught herpes. I have felt a little under the weather lately but very stressed at work and constantly thinking about if I have herpes also stressing me out I also now have slight back ache

[auntiejessi]

I don't know what you mean by "a little under the weather", but your chances of getting herpes from a one-time protected encounter are quite low, around 1 in 10,000.

Remember that it's still cold and flu season, and now we have Covid-19. You can have very mild symptoms of that, much like a cold, especially if you are otherwise healthy.

At 12 days without any blisters or sores, and with using a condom, I wouldn't worry at all about herpes.  

[Nickds1990]

Thanks for your reply

When I say I’m under the weather I mean by feeling sick but I don’t know wether that is from worrying my self. Would my slight back ache be a symptom?

Thanks

[auntiejessi]

It could be, but not without blisters or sores. A backache can be many things.

Why the fear of herpes?

[Nickds1990]

Afternoon

I dunno just wasn’t sure the worst always comes to mind first. Would you say that the blisters would have appeared by now ? If I did have anything


Thanks

[auntiejessi]

I've had herpes for well over 15 years. I assure you there are far worse things in life.

The incubation period (period from the time of infection to symptoms) for herpes is 2-20 days - some say 2-12 days, with an average of 4 days.

Again though, you used a condom. The chances of you getting herpes is very, very low.

[Nickds1990]

Evening

Ok thanks for your time. Would you recommend a test or would that be a waste of time as I have no blisters or sores.

Thanks

[auntiejessi]

I wouldn't recommend a test. There are false positives on the tests, and if you did get a possible false positive, it can take weeks or months to unravel.

If you had unprotected sex with someone who had it, or had symptoms, I'd be encouraging you to test. Since you had condom-protected sex, I don't see the need to.

Are you worried about protecting a regular partner you have? That might be worth a test.

It can take up to 4 months to show positive on a type specific IgG blood test. You can test now, and if it's negative, test again at 4 months.

[Nickds1990]

Evening

Yes I was worried about protecting my partner. But like you said I wore a condom and the risk is very low. I might go to the clinic for a visual check up and see what they maybe recommend??

Thanks

[Nickds1990]

Would recommend going to the clinic ??

Thanks

[auntiejessi]

If you have no symptoms right now, the only thing you can do is get a blood test right now.

Personally, I see no reason to do that. Getting a blood test could result in a false positive. If you live in the UK or Canada (and a few other places), it's very hard to get a blood test. You can ask for it, and might get it, but you are far more likely to not get it. If you are denied because you have no symptoms, I think you can rest easy because your risk was so low.

[Nickds1990]

Thanks so much