Herpes risk

[greekman1982]

Hi Doctor,

I briefly dated someone (for a month) who had oral herpes (probably HSV-1 since he had recurrences). We french kissed and he performed oral sex on me but he was asymptomatic. We nevr had intimate contact when he had an outbreak (outbreak happened once while we were together). I know there aren't enough studies out there to show when exactly oral herpes can or cannot be contagious besides when lesions are present.
Again, this exposure was more than a year and a half ago. I never had any symptoms in my genitals nor orally. I know that half the population has HSV-1. So my question here would be:

1- Would you advise the necessity of a herpes testing at this point?

2- what are the odds of me being contagious to others even after this year and a half time period has passed?

[greekman1982]

Thank you for your prompt feedback Dr. Hook. My initial post did not have the symptoms I felt the past few weeks (paresthesia, detected neurodermatitis,pubic sensations...) Those were mentioned in the first of today's 3 subsequent posts and I thought they might possibly alter the perspective. Not sure if this will be the end of this thread but in case it were, thank you as always for your input.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I am not sure why you are re-posting what is essentially the same questions that you asked before.  My answer has not changed. I suspect that the sensations you report are a manifestation of anxiety and  see no reason for you to continue to worry about herpes.  EWH

[greekman1982]

Sorry about the re-posting, but one final thing was that I am also an anxious person when it comes to herpes. So, also not sure if that might have aggravated the symptoms I felt as well. Im still anxious but not feeling them with the same level now. It's just when you have confounding symptoms of dermatitis/possible inguinal hernia repercussions/anxiety combined, things tend to get blurred and that's where an outside expert opnion such as yours becomes necessary..

[greekman1982]

I did also notice some kinda flaky scrotal skn that now seems to have subsided as well.

[greekman1982]

Thank you Dr Hook for your replies. The reason why I was asking was because I was feeling the following symptoms:
1-Tingling or crawling sensation (paresthesia) in the skin in the back of scrotum for almost 3 weeks, on and off, now almost stopped or barely minimal.
2-No lesions after having been checked by a dermatologist (who is also an STD specialist) who detected what he labeled as a neurodermatitis there.
3-I did feel a burning and perhaps swelling in the pubic area (noting  that I had a bilateral inguinal hernia around 5 months ago and not sure if that could be a recurrence of some of the post op sensations I used to experience in the many weeks after the operation)
3 weeks down the line, the symptoms have almost subsided. I have never been tested for herpes. I am gay and receptive of occasional  protected anal sex and a few times of unprotected oral sex, but my sexual history is not that relatively extensive. The symptom that got me thinking the most was the occasional scrotal paresthesia since whenever you put “genital tingling” on the internet, all you get are herpes-related sites. So my questions would be:
1)Could my symptoms be possibly herpetic in any sense?
2)Could a genital dermatitis of any sort cause the scrotal sensation i had? I know most dermatitises cause itching which I wasn’t really feeling, unless maybe it was a mild case?
3)Would you advise the need for testing based on the above?
Your reply would be highly appreciated as usual.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes it does.  In the U.S. over 60% of persons have HSV-1, even though they do not know it.  In other contries the rates are even higher.  EWH

[greekman1982]

sorry just read " The combination of the facts that a majority of people already have HSV-1...". So that answers the question I suppose. Thanks for your help.

[greekman1982]

Thank you Dr, just to clarify " you may or may not have already have HSV-1, like the majority of persons". You mean the majority has or does not have HSV-1?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  The chance that you acquired HSV-1 from the activities you describe is quite low and is not something to worry about.  You may or may not have already have HSV-1, like the majority of persons.  Irrespective, we do not suggest any need for testing as we would not suggest the need for measures to prevent transmission other than avoidance of direct contact when lesions are present.  The combination of the facts that a majority of people already have HSV-1 (and therefore cannot get it again, anywhere) and the very low chance of transmission in the absence of lesions make any concerns and need for testing unnecessary.

I would not worry that you are contagious to others.

I hope my comments are reassuring and helpful.  EWH