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Risk and Odds
Dr.,
After being in a long term relationship which ended recently, I engaged in 2 separate acts of unprotected sex with different partners and 1 act of unprotected oral sex with another partner. I have been reading through the forum's archives and I have found both of your responses particularly helpful. However, in order to provide myself with some answers I would like to know the risks and odds of contracting hsv-2 in my case.
In regards to the acts of intercourse here are the facts. Both partners are white females in their early 20's. The first act occurred 11 days and the second act occurred 9 days ago. Both girls said that they are disease free with one mentioning that she is checked often for STDs. I have had no symptoms of hsv. However my upper back near my neck does feel maybe a little achy as do possibly other areas of my body. But I think this may be do to anxiety. Reading through some of Dr. Hook's replies (one in particular was dated Sep. 2009 I believe), it seems that on several occasions he says that after 3-10 days of no symptoms of hsv after an encounter, not to worry about hsv-2.
Does this still hold true? For some reason due to age are my chances of contracting hsv-2 higher or lower in the two aforementioned sexual encounters?
The encounter involving oral sex I am less worried about in terms of hsv. I know that oral sex has a slim chance of transmission (very low when no oral hsv-1 are present). However I did engage in brief frottage (outercourse). Can this transmit hsv?
Is the risk of transmission still low?
I must admit I am quite worried about hsv-2. After these events from the weeks prior, I have begun to see my old girlfriend again. When we have had sex, I have made sure to use condoms.
Even with protection and no signs of hsv-2 should I still be worried about transmission of hsv-2 with my old girlfriend?
I always try to have safe sex and I am quite upset that I allowed myself to engage in these acts.
After being in a long term relationship which ended recently, I engaged in 2 separate acts of unprotected sex with different partners and 1 act of unprotected oral sex with another partner. I have been reading through the forum's archives and I have found both of your responses particularly helpful. However, in order to provide myself with some answers I would like to know the risks and odds of contracting hsv-2 in my case.
In regards to the acts of intercourse here are the facts. Both partners are white females in their early 20's. The first act occurred 11 days and the second act occurred 9 days ago. Both girls said that they are disease free with one mentioning that she is checked often for STDs. I have had no symptoms of hsv. However my upper back near my neck does feel maybe a little achy as do possibly other areas of my body. But I think this may be do to anxiety. Reading through some of Dr. Hook's replies (one in particular was dated Sep. 2009 I believe), it seems that on several occasions he says that after 3-10 days of no symptoms of hsv after an encounter, not to worry about hsv-2.
Does this still hold true? For some reason due to age are my chances of contracting hsv-2 higher or lower in the two aforementioned sexual encounters?
The encounter involving oral sex I am less worried about in terms of hsv. I know that oral sex has a slim chance of transmission (very low when no oral hsv-1 are present). However I did engage in brief frottage (outercourse). Can this transmit hsv?
Is the risk of transmission still low?
I must admit I am quite worried about hsv-2. After these events from the weeks prior, I have begun to see my old girlfriend again. When we have had sex, I have made sure to use condoms.
Even with protection and no signs of hsv-2 should I still be worried about transmission of hsv-2 with my old girlfriend?
I always try to have safe sex and I am quite upset that I allowed myself to engage in these acts.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sounds like you're just looking too closely. Initial herpes causes far more dramatic symptoms, if it causes symptoms at all. But of course see a health care provider if you are convinced the spots are abnormal or if you otherwise remain concerned. And stop examining yourself; if you don't get something you can feel without looking, the chance you were infected is nil.
Dr.,
Just a follow up report. I believe I am still symptom free. However, I noticed two very small, painless red bumps on the underside of my foreskin today. While they don't have a head, they do look like a very small pimple. They are not senstive to touch at all. It looks like it could be a slightly irritated sebaceous gland. When the skin is streched they disappear. The skin around them is not red or sensitve. Does this sound like any characteristics of hsv that you are aware of?
Thank you again for your time.
Just a follow up report. I believe I am still symptom free. However, I noticed two very small, painless red bumps on the underside of my foreskin today. While they don't have a head, they do look like a very small pimple. They are not senstive to touch at all. It looks like it could be a slightly irritated sebaceous gland. When the skin is streched they disappear. The skin around them is not red or sensitve. Does this sound like any characteristics of hsv that you are aware of?
Thank you again for your time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're welcome.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
Around 1 in 5 sexually active adults (in the US) have HSV-2. So the odds are that neither of your parnters has HSV-2. When a partner has known HSV-2, the average transmission risk to an uninfected partner is somewhere around once for every 1,000 exposures. HSV transmission is rare from frottage; without insertive vaginal, anal or oral sex, the chance of herpes of any kind is very low. Your symptoms do not suggest HSV. Finally, Dr. Hook is correct that most people with new HSV infections, and on the lookout for typical symptoms, would know if they were infected. So lack of herpes symptoms is additional evidence you were not infected.
All things considered, I see no serious risk of herpes in this situation and do not recommend testing for it, nor do I believe you are putting your latest new partner -- your old girlfriend -- at risk for herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Around 1 in 5 sexually active adults (in the US) have HSV-2. So the odds are that neither of your parnters has HSV-2. When a partner has known HSV-2, the average transmission risk to an uninfected partner is somewhere around once for every 1,000 exposures. HSV transmission is rare from frottage; without insertive vaginal, anal or oral sex, the chance of herpes of any kind is very low. Your symptoms do not suggest HSV. Finally, Dr. Hook is correct that most people with new HSV infections, and on the lookout for typical symptoms, would know if they were infected. So lack of herpes symptoms is additional evidence you were not infected.
All things considered, I see no serious risk of herpes in this situation and do not recommend testing for it, nor do I believe you are putting your latest new partner -- your old girlfriend -- at risk for herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I exceeded the character limit in my first post so I was unable to thank you. Thank you so much for you time. Please let me know if you need any more information to answer my questions.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
