General Qestion

[txguy84]

I had protected anal sex back in Dec. of 2010. I was the top. To the best of my recollection I believe I had some razor marks/scratches at the base of my penis from shaving the week prior. How likely is it that I would have contracted herpes even though I've shown no symptoms in 5 months. Symptoms would have appeared by now in its obvious, classical ways, right?
Thank you

[Mistakeguy789]

Yes most cases are typical and you would have seen symptoms by now.  

[txguy84]

Does the 'wait to see if symptoms appear from 2-20 days' rule apply for hsv 1 and 2?

Will the secific igg test specify where on the body?

[gracefromHHP]

blood testing only tells you what you have, not where you have it. It's a good first step though in knowing your total hsv status. You and a partner can't make educated decisions about what precautions to take in a relationship until you know who knows what. Since we know that having hsv2 genitally increases the risk of hiv infection significantly, it's important to periodically test for herpes. You should also ask your partners about their herpes testing too since it's typically not a part of routine std testing and studies show that about 60% of all gay males have it.  It's as much about your protection as theirs!

grace

[txguy84]

Do you know how much it costs?

Do you know how common it is to have genital herpes and not experience an outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

anywhere from $45-$200 depending on where you go.

Study after study shows that over 90% of those infected with hsv2, have no idea they have it until tested.

[txguy84]

Oy, wish me luck!
Can you recommend any testing centers?
My local health dept. doesn't offer hsv testing.

[txguy84]

Another quick question, please?
Is contracting genital hsv as simple as skin to skin touching?

[gracefromHHP]

you can contract herpes from foreplay but the risk of such is low. to protect yourself, the condom should come on when the clothes come off, not just wait for actual penetration to put the condom on. Also condoms should be used for oral too to protect yourself.

You can check to see if healthcheckusa.com or tstd.org has testing centers near you. Last I checked, tstd wasn't real clear about only being able to get herpes testing but if you call them and ask, you can order just hsv igg testing done.  Both places run anywhere from $100-$150 on average.

[txguy84]

Grace, thank you for your help and knowledge. I want to get tested this week, but I have a concern. About a week ago I gave a guy a handjob. I had some skin by the cuticle on my left thumb that was peeling from my bad habit of picking at it. Well, beneath the peeling skin is the smallest, minute cut. Its barely noticeable and its mostly red and sore. Well, the guy ejaculated, but not all over my hand. I did feel some of his pre ejaculation. It was in the dark so I don't know if he had lesions or not. Could they be felt? Well, anyways, I want to get tested this week and you guys say its best to wait 3 months post last exposure. My last exposure before this was receiving unprotected oral sex almost three months ago. Should I wait three more months from this handjob with slight cut on my hand to get tested for hsv?  

[txguy84]

One more thing I'd like to add. After the handjob incident I used instant hand sanitizer gel on my hands. A generous amount, then I masturbated myself with kleenex in between my penis and hand. Is that a risk still?
Thank you

[txguy84]

Does anyone have advice?

[gracefromHHP]

this was not  a risk.

[txguy84]

I read on here that it is a risk to masturbate someone else who may have herpes if you have an open wound on the hand? So would you advise I go ahead and get tested now instead of waiting another three months?
Thank you

[gracefromHHP]

you don't need to wait 3 months after the hand job. getting tested now so you can move on from the december encounter is fine.

[txguy84]

Well, I'm trying to move on from all encounters. Being that I'm a non-insured student, I'm always broke and going to the doctor is pricey and so I definitely cannot afford to get 2 hsv tests. I can't even afford one. So, if you think there is the slightest bit of risk in the hand job with the cut on my hand, then I should wait 3 months, right? I've just been really emotionally exhausted from all of this and I don't want to get tested and still have a question mark hanging over my head. That's if it comes back negative. You said 'this was not a risk' but I don't know if you were referring to my masturbating myself after I gave the guy a hand job or the entire situation. Sorry for my confusion.  

[txguy84]

On monday I took an HSV 1 and 2-Specific Ab, IgG test.

Results for both hsv 1 & 2 are <0.91 

I'm sorry, but I have to ask this one more time.

You said that the handjob incident with the small cut on my hand was not a risk, but I also think that the guy may have touched my butt cheek/crack for literally one second with the tip of his penis, considering this, can I still completely move on and consider these results accurately conclusive?

Thank you

[Mistakeguy789]

Move on.  It takes more then a simple touch.  Heat and Friction are needed to get the virus in the skin.  :-)

[txguy84]

Dear mistakeguy789 and gracefromhhp

I hope you both know how powerful, meaningful, and healing your contributions are! Much love and peace to guys!! I'm incredibly grateful to you guys and this forum.