Hard to tell if my symptoms are herpes or not..

[Blackfish]

Hello,

10 days ago I had unprotected sex with a woman who later told me that she was infected with Herpes 2 11 years ago.  Her last outbreak was 3-4 years ago and has had nothing since.  I have been very concerned since then and have been watching for any hint of a symptom like a hawk.  I was a little achy and overtired a few days after the encounter (but really..I just hadn't slept well, I think, plus was stressed thinking about it), but also...I have some redness and red spots on my penis, around the base of the head and if one looks closely, on the shaft.  They are very very small, not blistering.  I am uncircumsized and have had yeast infections before, and this looks similar; I also can get irritation from condoms and vigorous sex....so I'm really not sure.  Is there any real way short of testing to know if this is herpes?  Also, when can I go in and get a truly accurate test to know for sure.  Assuming that this is just some irritation, how long after exposure must I wait before getting a test?

Thank you.

[Blackfish]

Hm...days later, still have some small white bumps....my guess at this point is either a low grade yeast infection or HPV...my appt at Planned Parenthood on Monday will be the determining factor. It's just so frustrating how the symptoms for HPV, Candida, Herpes, etc., can all be so similar.

[gracefromHHP]

if you've been tested before, wait 3 months until you test again.

[Blackfish]

Thank you!  I have been tested for Herpes in the past...but it was a while ago.  I am going to schedule a new test to be certain.  The symptoms--mild and vague as they were--have gone away, so I am feeling a little calmer.  I am not worried about testing for other std's, fortunately.  Just going to be vigilant about getting these tests over the next few months.

[gracefromHHP]

the risk of contracting hsv2 from a one time encounter is in general very low.

so what do you do now? Well odds are you've never been tested for herpes before. do you know if you have been? If you haven't been lately, call your provider this week and ask them to order a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what your status is to see if you were even at risk for hsv2. If you test  negative now, repeat it if you need the peace of mind in 3 months.

what you describe now doesn't sound like a newly acquired herpes infection.

you can also get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea now. you will need to wait until 6 week post encounter for testing for syphilis and 3 months for hepatitis and hiv testing since this was an unprotected encounter.

grace