No symptoms after 12 days

[ScaredGirl76]

It’s been 12 days since I received unprotected oral. I have no symptoms of herpes (on my mouth or genitals) and no previous diagnosis. Would I see symptoms by now had I become infected? Every itch and tingle and I’m losing my mind with worry. Help!

[feelingundone]

The odds are you would have had obvious symptoms by now. I really believe you are way over worrying about hsv from this single exposure. Learn to rekax as the odds of contracting tbe virus is very low. That's even if your partner had oral hsv. My advice is to move on and try to relax.

[ScaredGirl76]

I was soooooo hoping it would be you who would respond. I am terrified. Sick...can’t eat or sleep. Anxiety through the roof. I will of course get checked (10-12 weeks?) to be sure. Overall I really wanted your specific opinion, so thanks. I needed some reassurance that I would have felt/seen a symptom by now. I’m guessing it would an obvious bump/blister/itch, etc? One dumb mistake and I’m a wreck.

[feelingundone]

Can I ask why it was such a mistake? The problem is people get way to stressed when it's something they regret. Now, medically your risk is very small and I wouldn't wven recommend testing in the absence of obvious symptoms. You really have nothing to fear at this point.

[ScaredGirl76]

I think of it as a mistake because I didn’t make the decision in sound mind. I was drunk and not thinking with a clear head. Plus I have major regrets. I consider what I did reckless and that’s just not me. I’m angry with myself.

[ScaredGirl76]

Again, I can’t thank you enough for your time and expertise. I really have been an absolute zombie. I think I’m actually making myself have symptoms by poking around down there!! Lol. Everything looks suspicious at this point and I’m unsure of what a obvious symptom would be. Any chance symptoms would take longer to show?

[feelingundone]

I get what your saying but go easy on yourself. We all make mistakes but this isn't a big one medically speaking. Most experts consider oral sex safe sex. This doesn't mean it's 100% risk free but it's very low risk for most stds and zero for some. Oral hsv1 is transmitted to the genitals through oral sex. People at a higher risk are those in a relationship with someone with oral hsv and they themselves have no hsv1. Now oral hsv1 sheds about 15% of days and even when it's shedding most exposures don't lead to transmision. Again, we don't even know your partner has hsv1 oraly. At your age it's  probably less than 50/50.
The vast majority of outbreaks take place 4-7 days aftet exposure. In very rare cases it can take up to 20 days. Most outbreaks with genital hsv1 are extremely noticable with lesions, pain and posible flu lije symptoms. These include fever, body aches and swollen groin lymph nodes. I have had many people tell me they ended up in the emergancy ward. Knowing what I know, if I were you i wouldn't loose a seconds sleep (medically speaking) the regret is a differant story. For that my advice is to forgive yourself and enjoy your life. If you have a regular partner then I understand your regret. My advice will stay the same though. Forgive yourself and move on.

[ScaredGirl76]

You’re a good man. Thanks for the kind words and your time and opinion. It has helped me tremendously. The guilt and regret I will work on. May take time, but I’ll get there one day. In the meantime, thank you for your help. You are helping a lot of stressed out and hurting people. Amazing work.

[feelingundone]

Thank you for the kind words. It's truely appreciated. Here if you need anything.

[ScaredGirl76]

You just might...one day when I’m climbing the walls with more worry about this and need to be talked down! Take care

[ScaredGirl76]

Having a tough day today for some reason...can’t shake the feeling that I’m going to be one of the unlucky folks whose symptoms take 20 days to show up. I’ll let my guard down and wham, on day 15 something will show up. Every itch “down there” today and I’m panicking. I mean, what are the odds...when you say very rare for 20 days, what’s very rare? Like 1%?

[ScaredGirl76]

Tried to PM you, but it won’t go through for some reason. Really need to run something by you...please.

[feelingundone]

I will pm you. And yes 20 days is very rare. Probably less then 1% it's been documented so it has happened but 90+% will have a primary 2-10 days after exposure.