Nagging

[SMHx100Participant]

Hello-

I am a male and have been reading a ton on the internet lately about HSV and I want to try and dispel my fears. I had protected oral and vaginal sex 50 days ago with a new female partner. It lasted all of 20 seconds and I do not recall her going down any lower than mid way down my penis. I have had HSV 1 my whole life so I know what a sore/ulcer feels and looks like. I feel like every time I look down there I am going to see the signs of my nonprimary first outbreak. I look and look but so far nothing. I am honestly a wreck and am at the point where everything seems to be a precursor. Additionally I have this very dull sensation in my genitals that I do not want to call pain, but, it is also undeniable I feel “something”. I have felt “something” for nearly a month. So, my question:

1. I have read that the one time encounter, protected, is low risk. I have hope that is indeed the case with me. Again, I have not had a classic outbreak and believe me I have been looking. To best of my knowledge the condom did not break. I still have extreme fear. I want to get tested anyway. Is 7 weeks too soon?

Thank you!

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

I think the chances that you acquired herpes in this one time encounter are statistically very close to zero. and if you had acquired herpes, and you are watching this closely, I think you would have noted some symptoms. Often people miss their first infection because they are simply not noticing small symptoms, but you are looking very closely, right? Also, the use of the condom will certainly be helpful in reducing transmission. Also, do you have any idea if this person even has herpes? Could you arrange for them to be tested?

You can test at seven weeks, of course. If the IgG test is negative, there is a 70% chance it will stay that way.

have you ever been tested for herpes in the past?

Terri

[SMHx100Participant]

Hello Terri-

1. I check multiple times a day. Too much perhaps. Foreskin is clear glans has some redness that comes and goes during the day. No lesions yet. No scabbing either.

2. I do not know the other person’s status. Never will unfortunately.

3. I have never been tested. I do have HSV 1 and do take valtrex as needed for flare ups.

My follow ups
1. Have you ever encountered an instance when an area covered by a condom became infected?

2. Does already having hsv 1 make me less likely to have an hsv2 outbreak? In other words could I get it then have it go asymptomatically immediately?

Thank you so much Terri!

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

1. That’s good. In my experience, men have intermittent redness under the foreskin from time to time. That is not worrisome to me.
2. Well, that just rules out one possibility for confirming whether you are risk or not.
3. I hope you aren’t taking Valtrex now for your herpes concerns. Taking too long a period of Valtrex can interfere with the accuracy of the antibody test.

I have not seen anyone get infected while using a condom in the area that the condom covered, no. However, I have seen men get infected and have their first symptoms at the base of the penis in areas not covered by a condom. That’s why I was interested to read that you thought that your penis was never deep inside of her and for a very short period of time.

Having HSV 1 infection does make HSV 2 infection less likely to be symptomatic, yes. The antibody to HSV 1 is so similar to HSV 2 that it does keep symptoms minimal in some people who acquire HSV 2 as a new infection while having HSV 1.

But you need to go always go back to the nature of the exposure to help determine risk. You exposure was protected and short. That is very important!

Terri

[SMHx100Participant]

Hi Terri, me again! I just took the IGG test after 9 weeks and it came back negative. I know you said 7 weeks equates to a 70% chance I will stay negative at 12 weeks. Would 9 weeks put me at about 80% chance? I know it is probably a simple question but I just wanted an expert’s opinion. Thank you Terri!

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

Yes, I think that 9 weeks is probably 80% certain that you are uninfected. That is based on an opinion, though, no research study that I know of to confirm that.

Teri

[SMHx100Participant]

Ok, thank you Terri. Here is to hoping. Still no outbreak or signs of an infection. If I continue with no symptoms should I just move on and not worry about a test at 12 weeks? Remember, I have had HSV1 my whole life so I know it could slow things.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by  SMHx100.

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

I doubt that you will feel reassured at this point and 80% is not 100%. If you want to be more certain test at 16 weeks, not 12 weeks.

Terri

[SMHx100Participant]

Thank you ma’am. Have a wonderful night.

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