Risk of HSV1 and HSV2?

[anonymous501285]

I recently am seeing a new partner and concerned about contracting STI. We have aimed for super safe sex so far. She has HSV1. She says she’s never had genital herpes symptoms and I haven’t seen any so far (though I’ve not exactly been inspecting!)

I’ve never had HSV1 or HSV2 symptoms. I haven’t tested. I’ve maybe been exposed before this partner but unlikely.

Timeline:
8/30: kissed for ~5s. No HSV1 symptoms on her. Washed my mouth after with soap
9/3: I fingered her for ~5s then transferred some vaginal wetness to my mouth
9/6: she fingered herself, then 10min later with same hand (after it dried) started masturbating me. Her hand stayed around my shaft and made little direct contact with glans. I took over to finish. Soon after cumming I washed my whole area with soap and water. Then I fingered her, and again washed with soap and water after without touching myself
9/7: she got tested at Planned Parenthood. They confirmed a UTI and BV and prescribed antibiotics. Waiting for HSV blood test results
9/9: similar to 9/6 but this time she masturbated herself and I myself. No touching each other’s genitals

We’ve aimed to not open-mouth kiss. There has been occasional lip peck and licking/kissing other body parts eg neck, chest. No oral sex.

Symptoms:
• 9/7-9/8: mild sensitivity at base of my penis, and glans. Tho I think both are from dry skin from washing with soap and water.
• 9/6-now: noticed small single bump on uvula. Not sure how long its been there.
• 9/10: mild throat redness and sore throat. However, if not for the sexual contact, I wouldn’t think twice about this sore throat as it’s so mild

1. How likely is our sexual activity to put me at risk of HSV1?
2. How about HSV2 (assuming she carries and is asymptomatic)?
3. Do any symptoms sound like HSV1 or HSV2?
4. Should I get my throat swabbed and tested for HSV1 and HSV2?
5. Should I get an HSV1 and HSV2 blood test?
6. If she tests HSV2 positive but I don’t develop more symptoms should I test?

[anonymous501285]

Follow up – partner’s test results did not include HSV1 or 2 as the clinic doesn’t test for that in absence of symptoms. Again I know she had an oral cold sore earlier this year.

Symptoms update:
• 9/11-12: some penile sensitivity which I think was psychosomatic as I was stressed
• 9/11-9/16: uvula bump still there. Saw PCP on 9/11 and they said doesn’t look herpetic, nothing to worry about

One further sexual encounter:
• 9/16: I (male) received unprotected oral for ~10 seconds. No oral sores on partner. Washed almost immediately afterwards with soap and water as I was feeling paranoid of contracting HSV1 genitally through asymptomatic virus shedding in her saliva

Updated questions:
1. How likely is this sexual activity to put me at risk of contracting HSV1 or HSV2? Particularly the unprotected oral?
2. Does the contact being super brief and me immediately washing afterwards lower the risk?
3. Is there any data on how quickly the virus can enter the male body via the genitals?
4. Would you have a guess on the overall % risk of me contracting HSV1 genitally through asymptomatic virus shedding from saliva?

Thank you in advance

[Terri Warren]

1. How likely is this sexual activity to put me at risk of contracting HSV1 or HSV2? Particularly the unprotected oral?
Very little risk
2. Does the contact being super brief and me immediately washing afterwards lower the risk?
Probably, yes.
3. Is there any data on how quickly the virus can enter the male body via the genitals?
There is none, I’m afraid
4. Would you have a guess on the overall % risk of me contracting HSV1 genitally through asymptomatic virus shedding from saliva?
5%?

Terri

[Author]

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