Fingering and receiving oral sex (********)

[worriedinhp]

I'm in an ongoing dating situation with a woman who has confirmed HSV2. What is the risk from her giving me unprotected oral sex, and similarly in me fingering her? She is on Valtrex. Though we haven't had intercourse, if/when we do we'll use condoms, during times of no apparent outbreak. But meantime, can we do the above without freaking out?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think you are freaking out without reason, yes.  If she is taking daily medicine, 500 mg of Valtrex, the risk if you had intercourse with her for a year, twice a week, is only about 2% that you would acquire HSV 2 genitally.  Compare that with what you experienced, I think you can put the worries behind you.

Terri

[worriedinhp]

I have had, one in December, and again last month, for both HSV1 and 2 using the Herpeselect Elisa test. Both tests negative for both.

Concerning the fingers, it would seem like we almost always have some small, or even microscopic cuts on our fingers, given how much we use them (compared, to say, the genitals).

So a couple follow up, and thank you for your patience:

1. Do you mean it would realistically take an open tear to permit transmission, as opposed, to say a paper cut or sewing pin prick from some days earlier?

2. Otherwise, (and I hope the answer is no) are latex gloves really the solution? In other words hand condoms.

3. Is 500 mg still the recommended daily dose of Valtrex? I've seen both that and 1,000 mg.

What this all really boils down to is, if the woman's taking daily Vatrex and I'm not obviously bleeding from a cut on my fingers (though may have unseen microcuts or whatever from normal wear and tear) am I just being a big freaking idiot for worrying about this?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

assuming she has HSV 2 only genitally, which is usually the case, there is no risk of her giving you oral sex.  If your fingers are intact, no broken skin around the nail, cuts, etc, there is not risk in putting your fingers in her vagina.  Have you actually had a type specific antibody test to determine that you are negative for HSV 2?  

terri