Oral (?) HSV-2, was this risky, and should I get tested?

[Lupi10003]

Hello Terri! Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question.

The other day, I got intimate with a potential new partner. What was very upsetting is that they told me as we were already getting intimate that they were HSV-2 positive, but had never had an outbreak to their knowledge. I really regret and am kicking myself over the fact that there was (fairly brief) receptive oral sex (I am a male) from the HSV-2 positive person — I did not perform it on them. Other than that, there was some mutual masturbation/ genital/anal fingering (but to the very best of my recollection, I did not touch myself afterwards. And not long after, I washed my hands). Adequate lubrication was certainly used. There was zero penetrative/insertive sex, genitally. There was no anal nor vaginal sex/direct genital-to-genital contact whatsoever.

– Your handbook resources have been awesome! I see that they say that fingering and mutual masturbation are not considered high risk at all. I assume that means I don’t have to worry much about the fingering thing?

– re: the Oral contact. In the herpes handbook where it provides shedding rates, it says Oral HSV-2 is by far the least active type of herpes. What I gather from that is that when there is no active outbreak, the risk is very low. That being said: it is overwhelmingly likely that a positive HSV-2 test is genital-based, in which case, the HSV-2 positive person performing oral sex briefly is no risk, right? They assured me their mouth felt completely and entirely normal and would not risk it otherwise.
Even if they were one of the very rare cases of oral HSV-2, and statistically it’s unlikely, am I correct to assume that absent of an active outbreak, the odds of transmission because of how inactive and low shedding rates it has asymptomatically, it was not super high risk? Basically, do I have much to worry about here? And, would you recommend I get tested at any point, or only if symptoms develop? Thank you again!

[Terri Warren]

You are correct that the experience that you had is NOT a risk for the acquisition of HSV 2. I see absolutely no reason to test for HSV 2 because of this contact but since 80% of those infected don’t know, we don’t know that you weren’t infected before this encounter.

However, THIS encounter is not a risk and I hope you were gentle with the feeling of the partner who has HSV 2.

Terri

[Lupi10003]

Thank you very much Terri! I really appreciate your response and it has given me a great sense of relief and a lot of peace of mind.

This is good to know going forward. Like many, we were not properly taught about most STIs so I am glad I’m learning. And absolutely! I had no overtly negative reaction at all in the moment. I am still in touch with this individual, and being HSV-2 is by no means a deal breaker whatsoever. I just wanted to be more educated and informed so I could make good decisions, so your input is very helpful.

If I may one follow up. I am positive for HSV-1 orally (so I would never blame anyone for being any type of HSV positive!). I’ve read that, generally, when infected with one strain of HSV in one location, it’s very unlikely to be infected with that same strain in another location (i.e., it is highly unlikely for me to contract genital HSV-1 if I’ve been positive for Oral HSV-1 for well over a decade). Is this correct? And if so, contracting genital HSV of any sort in my case is only really likely to occur with direct genital-to-genital/penetrative vaginal-anal sex with someone who is HSV-*2* positive?

I sincerely thank you again for taking the time to help me, Terri!

[Terri Warren]

You are correct, it would be highly unusual for you to contract HSV 1 at a new location. And you are correct about the ways you would contract HSV 2.
I’m glad you were good to this person – it’s difficult news to share.

Terri

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