Can you contract HSV-1 from these sexual acts?

[Eden__amitin]

Hi Terri!

Recently I (F 22) hooked up with a guy (M 38) who gets cold sores (he had no active ones and take antivirals daily). I’m currently in a non-monogamous relationship and my partner (m 37) is risk averse to getting HSV-1 (both of us are negative for HSV-1, although both my parents do have it). We both are hypochondriacs and I have OCD which doesn’t help because I search and search for explicit answers/truth on this matter.

My partner knows I’ve been with this person before (I told him before we were physical again so he could make informed consent) and he’s okay with such because I set physical boundaries with the hookup. They were that we couldn’t: kiss, have anal or oral sex (giving or receiving) or anything that shared saliva between us. My partner thanked me for being transparent but told me I don’t need to tell me everything as long as I was being safe. His main concern was us doing things with saliva /sharing saliva.

The second time we hung out (the hook-up and I) I told him it was alright if he kissed my neck/ forehead, back, etc. just not/nothing near my mucous membranes (lips, genitals / anus) because from my understanding the risk is extremely low / essential 0. He respected this but did grab my breast in the heat of the moment and sucked on my nipple. I performed oral sex on him as well (without a condom) he confirmed he’s never had and GHSV-1 outbreak and he is negative for HSV-2. Although, when he’s tested for HSV-1 he also shows up negative apparently?

I feel like I stayed within the parameters of my partners boundaries as no saliva was swapped but I’m concerned about the breast kissing (maybe a bit of oral sex too). What’s the likelihood I contract HSV-1 from any of the act from this encounter? I wanna make sure I respect my partners boundaries. I haven’t been with my partner physically since my hookup and wanna gather more knowledge before I do.

If there is a risk when would be a good time for me to test? My partner would probably only want to resume sexual activity once I could be properly get tested.

Thank you so much!

• This topic was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by Eden__amitin.

[Eden__amitin]

And with further research, the concerns beyond getting it on my lips are both: herpes mastitis and herpes gladiatorum. I thought I took all the proper precautions but an wondering am I at high risk for these things as well?

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by Eden__amitin.

[Terri Warren]

I think you are worrying about this a bit too much.
If you got herpes on your nipple, you would very likely have painful blisters as a result. I do think that you respected your partner’s boundaries. EVen if this hook up person had HSV 1 genitally, which of course we don’t know, HSV 1 is rarely shed from the genital tract so I think you are good to go.

terri

[Eden__amitin]

Hi Terri!
I am about two weeks out from my hookup with the HSV-1 positive person. I have zero prodrome symptoms / zero outbreaks since. Would this be enough time for HSV-1 to appear?

I also know it’s very unlikely for him to have genital HSV-1 after having oral HSV-1 all his life which Is why I felt comfortable performing oral sex on him (but not receiving). I know it’s uncommon to have HSV-1 on another part of your body if you already have on one part and he’s never experienced a genital outbreak (though I know nothing is risk free).

So in short, based upon what I’ve described, in your opinion it’s very unlikely that I contracted, yes? I plan on getting an IGG test (along with HSV-2 / the rest of the full panel) at the end of this week. That is what my partner has asked which I will do for his peace of mind.

I know it can potentially take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months for antibodies to form. However concrete is this? Am I stupid for testing this soon / potentially putting my partner at risk (I’d never forgive myself as I cover all my bases well and disclose everything to him obviously. But the idea of waiting 3 months kills me (but will do if necessary). If it’s extremely unlikely I don’t think that’s putting him at risk and I’ll do the test for his peace of mind but if I could be jeopardizing his health than I wanna prevent that obviously.

What is the best way to proceed in your opinion. Thank you so much Terri.

– Eden

[Eden__amitin]

Re: I know it can potentially take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months for antibodies to form. However, how concrete is this?

Because I’ve also heard: “The incubation period for herpes is 2 to 12 days, which means that the best time to get tested for the herpes virus — if you haven’t had an initial outbreak — is after 12 days.” Which would fit into my timeframe of testing post-hookup. So I was thinking I would test two weeks after and if the test result was negative proceed forward with normal sexual activity and retest each month after just to be safe. Or is this a silly thought process? However, I’ve also seen it should be a minimum of 3 weeks after, so should I wait another week? I’m sorry I’m just tryna be as safe as possible and am confused by all the information circulating (seriously I’ve been obsessively researching, curse my OCD.)

Is the IGG the best test for this or is there another that’s is more applicable / better?

I’d also like to add that I had no open cuts, tears, etc. in my skin at the time of the hookup (even though I know micro tears/abrasions are a thing). So no mucous membranes or skin wounds (as there was none on me) were interacted with.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by Eden__amitin.

[Terri Warren]

Because I’ve also heard: “The incubation period for herpes is 2 to 12 days, which means that the best time to get tested for the herpes virus — if you haven’t had an initial outbreak — is after 12 days.”
That’s incorrect.

Which would fit into my timeframe of testing post-hookup. So I was thinking I would test two weeks after and if the test result was negative proceed forward with normal sexual activity and retest each month after just to be safe. Or is this a silly thought process? However, I’ve also seen it should be a minimum of 3 weeks after, so should I wait another week? I’m sorry I’m just tryna be as safe as possible and am confused by all the information circulating (seriously I’ve been obsessively researching, curse my OCD.)
You could get a baseline at two weeks but that’s all, and remember that the IgG misses 30% of HSV 1 infections.

Is the IGG the best test for this or is there another that’s is more applicable / better?
The western blot is the best test but maybe all you have where you are is the Igg?

I’d also like to add that I had no open cuts, tears, etc. in my skin at the time of the hookup (even though I know micro tears/abrasions are a thing). So no mucous membranes or skin wounds (as there was none on me) were interacted with.

Again, I think you are likely overworrying about this. This isn’t a promise of course, but an opinion

Terri

[Author]

Posts