Risk for HSV 2 or any other STDs

[James932]

I am a male who recently received oral sex from a female friend.  I know my friend has tested positive for HSV2 and that she is fairly promiscuous.  I am assuming that her HSV 2 is in the genital region but I am not positive.  Also I have read that if someone gets HSV 2 on their mouth then they are not likely to shed the virus that often.  I have been tested for stds and I am positive for HSV 1 orally which I have read may offer some protection to HSV 2.  How possible is it to get HSV 2 on the genitals from someone giving you oral sex?  What are the risks for other STDs?

Thank you

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Having said that, it is true that a pap alone could not tell you that you have HSV 2.  However, some providers might have added a herpes PCR test to the pap.  You could ask about that possibility, as an explanation of why they called it HSV 2.  Again, a pap alone couldn't do it, but combined with another test, it might.

Terri

[Zai16]

Thanks Terri

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I would NEVER go by the results of a pap test in diagnosing herpes.  Get a type specific antibody test.  Also, a pap could NEVER tell the type, only detect cells that MIGHT be herpes.

Terri

[Zai16]

My paps test says I am positive for type 2 herpes. I was told this three weeks after giving unprotected oral sex and also kissing my boy friend. I had no idea I had this, I never had any symptons. We await his test results. Although we kissed, and had unprotected oral sex can he be infected by type2 herpes.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Given the risks of this specific experience, I would say, yes, that is most likely.  However, if you have never been tested for herpes, then there is no way to know for certain if you might have been infected at some point in the past.

Terri

[James932]

Thank you.  Is it safe to say if I don't have any symptoms within the next three weeks then all is well?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

In all likelihood, your friends has HSV 2 genitally, at least.  If she also has it orally, it will not be given off from her mouth often at all.  The studies show people with oral HSV 2 shed virus from the mouth on about three days out of the year.  

I think receiving oral sex from someone who has HSV 2, by serology or swab test, presents very very little risk to you of acquiring HSV 2.  

Since you already have HSV 1 orally, then I think this incident presents an extremely low risk to you of getting a new herpes infection.

Hope that helps you!

Terri