Hello,
First I wanted to thank you for the work you do on this site - it’s been an invaluable resource for me over the years.
I had an encounter with a sex worker last week where we kissed and had protected oral. I’m not worried about the latter as I have read about this on here before, however I’m a little concerned about the possibility of contracting HSV1 - she had no visible outbreak, and the whole thing lasted maybe 10 minutes. I’m pretty sure that I didn’t have it previously, though I am aware of asymptomatic HSV1.
This all happened 5 days ago. In the days since I have experienced certain symptoms but I can’t be sure if they are genuine or the result of anxiety. First I had light flu symptoms that lasted for one evening (shivering, a slight fever) and in the days since I have had sore lips (although I have been constantly checking for sores so this may have irritated them - additionally I am prone to sore, red, chapped lips and have been all my life) The soreness has responded to antiseptic cream tho, and crucially, I haven’t broken out in any painful sores, or anything visibly worrying. (I do have what I think are Fordyce spots on the inside of my lip, but again I have noticed these in the past and they aren’t painful at all)
I know symptoms usually present themselves in the 4-12 day window, but does this include the flu symptoms and general soreness around the mouth? Do you think it’s likely I would have caught HSV1 from this single encounter? In your experience does it sound like I am at risk? I’m anxious about passing this on to friends/ family / future partners without realising.
Many thanks in advance