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HSV Exposure and likelihood of contracting the virus
Hi Terri,
I have done extensive research on both types of HSV and so I am wanting to ask a few more specific questions regarding a recent exposure that I had this week. I am a female and have tested neg 3 times over the last year (once at your clinic) for both types of HSV. That being said I know that I am negative prior to this encounter: I was with a man yesterday who disclosed his positive status. He claimed that he had a test that reported both types together and therefore does not know if he is positive for type 1, 2 or both. He is not willing to test again. He has also claimed the following: He has never had an outbreak orally or genitally. The only thing he has experienced was what he thought was an outbreak but a swab test determined that the “scabs” on his penis were benign, although took several weeks to heal. Depending on when he was tested, I realize this could be a false neg. He is taking Valtrex regardless, although I am unsure how frequently.
The experience was oral sex on both partners (only a few mins each). Genital Rubbing. No sexual penetration, no ejaculation. He did not have a visible outbreak during this encounter.
I’m mostly concerned about the genital rubbing due to asymptomatic shedding.
Questions:
1. The time for symptoms to appear is generally 2-10 days, correct? If no symptoms, I should feel more at ease, correct? And then possibly test in 4-6 months?
2. Based on the exposure I described, would you consider this a risky sexual encounter?
I have tried to explain my knowledge to him; however, I do not feel that he will accept the need to be type tested.
Thank you thank you Terri!
I have done extensive research on both types of HSV and so I am wanting to ask a few more specific questions regarding a recent exposure that I had this week. I am a female and have tested neg 3 times over the last year (once at your clinic) for both types of HSV. That being said I know that I am negative prior to this encounter: I was with a man yesterday who disclosed his positive status. He claimed that he had a test that reported both types together and therefore does not know if he is positive for type 1, 2 or both. He is not willing to test again. He has also claimed the following: He has never had an outbreak orally or genitally. The only thing he has experienced was what he thought was an outbreak but a swab test determined that the “scabs” on his penis were benign, although took several weeks to heal. Depending on when he was tested, I realize this could be a false neg. He is taking Valtrex regardless, although I am unsure how frequently.
The experience was oral sex on both partners (only a few mins each). Genital Rubbing. No sexual penetration, no ejaculation. He did not have a visible outbreak during this encounter.
I’m mostly concerned about the genital rubbing due to asymptomatic shedding.
Questions:
1. The time for symptoms to appear is generally 2-10 days, correct? If no symptoms, I should feel more at ease, correct? And then possibly test in 4-6 months?
2. Based on the exposure I described, would you consider this a risky sexual encounter?
I have tried to explain my knowledge to him; however, I do not feel that he will accept the need to be type tested.
Thank you thank you Terri!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't consider this a risky exposure, no. Who knows what he actually has, and it is a real shame 1) that his provider did the wrong test and 2) that he isn't as concerned about his herpes status as one would hope. I've actually seen many false positive results on this test - that is, the combined test says it is positive, but when the individual tests are done, they are both negative.
If this is someone you would like to have an ongoing relationship with, try again to clarify the testing. What is the hang up? Money? The blood draw stick? The office visit? Once you find out the hang up, maybe we can strategize to get that out of the way.
Honestly, I don't think your exposure was risk for transmission. And the time to symptoms is 2-10 days, normally.
Terri
If this is someone you would like to have an ongoing relationship with, try again to clarify the testing. What is the hang up? Money? The blood draw stick? The office visit? Once you find out the hang up, maybe we can strategize to get that out of the way.
Honestly, I don't think your exposure was risk for transmission. And the time to symptoms is 2-10 days, normally.
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I think if you had herpes causing this irritation that you would notice some sort of lesion, since you are observing so closely. HSV doesn't really live in clitoris nerve bundles, it lives in the sacral ganglia at the base of the spine that supplies nerves to the clitoris, yes,
Terri
Terri
Hi Terri,
I promise this will be my last question and then I will have to put aside my worries unless I actually see a lesion.
I have tried to research on this forum and others...but seem to get conflicting information. Could you tell me if a raw feeling clitoris is a symptom of genital HSV? I've been experiencing it for the last 3-4 days (possible exposure was 5 days ago). I do not see any lesions. I understand that statistically, a raw feeling would be accompanied by lesions at this point...although I read that when HSV is acquired genitally, it "lives" in the clitoris nerve bundles and that one could experience a raw tender feeling. I also understand that the irritation could be a more normal type of infection or just anxiety. At 3-4 days, I’m moving away from the possibility of it just being raw from friction during foreplay.
I understand that my exposure was low risk; although, the uncertainty of the situation given my partner's status leaves me very worried.
Thank you again Terri. I promise this is my last question!
I promise this will be my last question and then I will have to put aside my worries unless I actually see a lesion.
I have tried to research on this forum and others...but seem to get conflicting information. Could you tell me if a raw feeling clitoris is a symptom of genital HSV? I've been experiencing it for the last 3-4 days (possible exposure was 5 days ago). I do not see any lesions. I understand that statistically, a raw feeling would be accompanied by lesions at this point...although I read that when HSV is acquired genitally, it "lives" in the clitoris nerve bundles and that one could experience a raw tender feeling. I also understand that the irritation could be a more normal type of infection or just anxiety. At 3-4 days, I’m moving away from the possibility of it just being raw from friction during foreplay.
I understand that my exposure was low risk; although, the uncertainty of the situation given my partner's status leaves me very worried.
Thank you again Terri. I promise this is my last question!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sounds good, and best of luck getting in to UW, it is such a great school, especially for STI studies.
Terri
Terri
Thank you Terri.
And you're right....I am on top of this minus a few remaining fears because I am normally very good about protecting myself. I've been studying and hoping to get my master in epi and hope to specialize in STIs (praying to get into the UW so I can work with Dr H.) :)
I'm not sure if I will continue contact with this individual. Although, if I do...he must must must pay a visit to your clinic.
Thank you again! I really appreciate your time and expertise.
And you're right....I am on top of this minus a few remaining fears because I am normally very good about protecting myself. I've been studying and hoping to get my master in epi and hope to specialize in STIs (praying to get into the UW so I can work with Dr H.) :)
I'm not sure if I will continue contact with this individual. Although, if I do...he must must must pay a visit to your clinic.
Thank you again! I really appreciate your time and expertise.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Its correct that about 40% of new genital infection is HSV 1. It think I'm an author on that literature review article, actually. If he is a medical provider, then I would agree that something is up here. Not sure what, but this doesn't fit together too well from my perspective.
If you don't show symptoms withint 10 days, I really don't think you need to be retested. You're on top of this, and I think any symptom would trigger a visit for you.
Are you going to continue to have contact with him? if yes, the target is constantly moving, right?
Let me know if you have other questions.
Terri
If you don't show symptoms withint 10 days, I really don't think you need to be retested. You're on top of this, and I think any symptom would trigger a visit for you.
Are you going to continue to have contact with him? if yes, the target is constantly moving, right?
Let me know if you have other questions.
Terri
Thank you for your quick reply!
His reasoning is a naive one. He is a medical provider and still believes everything he reads in a lit review. He read that 40% of all new genital HSV infections are typed HSV1. This is a stat that I have read as well; although, he does not understand that each type behaves differently depending on the infected location....ie, shedding rates. Apparently, he read this and thought since each type can technically be in either location..."why re-test?"
I suggested that he go to your clinic and that I would pay for the lab draw. He denied.
I actually believe that there are series of untruthful comments on his part because his logic does not add up, especially being a provider. I very much wonder if there has been a proper HSV2 genital diagnosis (hence the Valtrex), although he might still be unsure how to tell women. The manner in which he told me suggested a genital exposure, but when I asked for details of his lab results...this is where his history started to concern me.
I plan to show him your book "The Good News About Bad News" and see if that might change his mind about being tested again...or at least possibly provide me with more information if there has been a proper diagnosis.
One last question/clarification.... if I do not show symptoms within the next 10 or so days, do you see any reason why I should be tested within the 3-6 month timeframe? or is the risk of transmission so low (even if he does have HSV2 genitally)?
Thank you again Terri! I really appreciate all that you do.
His reasoning is a naive one. He is a medical provider and still believes everything he reads in a lit review. He read that 40% of all new genital HSV infections are typed HSV1. This is a stat that I have read as well; although, he does not understand that each type behaves differently depending on the infected location....ie, shedding rates. Apparently, he read this and thought since each type can technically be in either location..."why re-test?"
I suggested that he go to your clinic and that I would pay for the lab draw. He denied.
I actually believe that there are series of untruthful comments on his part because his logic does not add up, especially being a provider. I very much wonder if there has been a proper HSV2 genital diagnosis (hence the Valtrex), although he might still be unsure how to tell women. The manner in which he told me suggested a genital exposure, but when I asked for details of his lab results...this is where his history started to concern me.
I plan to show him your book "The Good News About Bad News" and see if that might change his mind about being tested again...or at least possibly provide me with more information if there has been a proper diagnosis.
One last question/clarification.... if I do not show symptoms within the next 10 or so days, do you see any reason why I should be tested within the 3-6 month timeframe? or is the risk of transmission so low (even if he does have HSV2 genitally)?
Thank you again Terri! I really appreciate all that you do.
One other comment so you can better understand the "encounter" and my anxiety for the situation.
The genital to genital rubbing was limited and most of it was on my labia majora or even just rubbing above my vagina or near my leg. Most of the other contact was just genital grazing (nothing forceful) where I would then quickly correct the placement. This might be TMI; however, if that would mean that I could worry less....I'm happy to provide as much information as possible. :(
I'm praying that without a noticeable outbreak at the time, the antiviral meds, and the limited contact....all points me in a good direction?
Thank you again for your help!!
The genital to genital rubbing was limited and most of it was on my labia majora or even just rubbing above my vagina or near my leg. Most of the other contact was just genital grazing (nothing forceful) where I would then quickly correct the placement. This might be TMI; however, if that would mean that I could worry less....I'm happy to provide as much information as possible. :(
I'm praying that without a noticeable outbreak at the time, the antiviral meds, and the limited contact....all points me in a good direction?
Thank you again for your help!!
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
