I think your risk of having acquired HSV 2 is very low - it is not zero as you know. If symptoms ARE going to appear, they will do so normally within 2-10 days after infection, but again, as you know, not everyone has symptoms. I wish I could provide you with certainty about this, but I can't. Your odds of being infected are really low. If you get cold sores when run down, we know that often HSV 1 and HSV 2 recur and/or shed at the same time, so yes, that might be likely.
Terri
Thank you for your reply.
Both my GP and the doctor at FreedomHealth in London suggest that testing is unwarranted, unnecessary and as I said may not show the complete picture.
You have also provided more reasons as to why testing may not be such a good idea.
My doctor and the FH doctor and Dr HHH said that it is highly unlikely,that I have the infection after so few exposures.
From my reading, you said in a post that if one has not had an onset of symptoms within 2 weeks, then one should stop worrying - the average being 5.5 days My last possible exposure was 5 months ago and I have not had anything.
From this information and my past sexual history, as well as the post by Dr Hook who states that transmission occurs in less that 1 in 1000 cases and that transmission is lowered by 30% when wearing a condom, do you feel that I should relax as it is unlikely that I have HSV 2?
I would just like another expert in the field to provide some reassurance.
Finally, do you agree with the statement that if I were to have a cold sore form being run down or from having a virus etc then if I were to have HSV2, I would notice some symptoms?
Thank you.
Well, testing could both reassure you and confuse you, it is true. If you do have HSV 2, you are less likely to have symptoms genitally since you already have oral herpes. The oral herpes keeps the symptoms much under control, should you contract genital infection.
You are correct, condoms work when the cover the areas exposed to possible infection. For herpes, condoms reduce transmission by 30%. The incidents of receiving oral sex are not an issue for you since you already have oral infection already.
The issue that might arise with you and HSV 2 testing is that sometimes people who have HSV 1 have a false positive with the HSV 2 test. This happens in about 3% of those tested. Only you can decide about the testing issue. You'll have to decide which scares you more, not knowing or getting a result that could be a false positive and having to do follow up testing to resolve the issue once and for all.
Terri
I should also say, as of this morning, down my left thight I have been having a zappy feeling (like a trapped nerve). Is this anything? No sores or anything? My mind just plays overtime!
Thanks.