Should I be concerned?

[Looking4answer]

Hi, Terri

I had a concerning encounter occur on late July 2014 with a hsv2 positive male. I unfortunately was on valtrex at the time of exposure. However, I stopped the valtrex about 10 days after this encounter. The encounter consisted of giving and receiving unprotected oral sex. I also rubbed genitals with him on accident twice. He also used a vibrator on me and used the vibrator briefly on his scrotum and then used it on me again for maybe five minutes. A few days after this incident I developed hard puss filled bumps in my perineum area and a little rash just above my vaginal area. I have been tested several times after the incident. Once at 5 weeks which was negative for hsv2 at .12. The other test I took was 4 months post exposure and again .12. The last test I took was 7 months post exposure and I tested .19 for hsv2. I have been experiencing tingling down legs and what looks like pimples in my genitals. I am still really concerned I have hsv2. When I asked this partner he said he did have an outbreak the week before but it cleared up a few days before and even took valtrex 5 days before I had this encounter with him just to make sure. I didn’t see any sores on his penis at the time but I think I may have seen what looked possibly like a scab.

Do you think my exposure was risky?
Should I believe my results and move on?
Could the valtrex I was on for about 10 days after the exposure prevent me from seroconverting?

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I think the exposure was of very limited risk and that you should believe the results!
10 days of Valtrex would not likely prevent seroconversion, no. You were on this for HSV 1 infection? I don’t believe you actually said in your post. Have you been tested to know that you are negative for HSV 2?
The contact that you had was so limited, I really don’t find it worrisome at all
The pimples – did you see anyone about them or have them swab tested?

Terri

[Looking4answer]

I was on valtrex for hsv1outbreak that I was having. I used to not get hsv1 outbreaks often usually just once or twice a year if that. However, I feel like ever since this encounter my lips are tingling more than ever and I have been seeming to get more outbreaks. I am really concerned this may be oral hsv2 even though my blood tests say I am negative. I went to the doctor about this and they all seemed to say that it is hsv1.
As for the pimples on my genitals one was swabbed and it was negative. I have had other concerning lesions on my genitals that were not swab tested that do look more like water blisters but they have hair in them most of the time but it does freak me out a but bc they do appear I same spot. My doctor seems to think I have scabies she seems quite certain I don’t have herpes based on my blood test. But she also said that my encounter was slightly risky bc if a quick rub is enough to get on a swab that it is enough to infect me.

1. If his outbreak occurred the Friday before I saw him and he took valtrex that Monday even though he said by then it was pretty much cleared up and I gave him oral sex late Friday night(exactly a week after the outbreak) how likely is it that their was enough virus present the following Friday to infect me with hsv2?
2. If the doctors are suspecting that I may have scabies. Could that be a reason as to why I have reoccuring hsv1 outbreaks
3.Can you explain to me how sex toys spread herpes. Does their need to be bodily fluid on it? Because although the sex toy was fairly brief I don’t remember exactly how long he used it on himself and it worries me!
As a side note I would just like to take the time out to thank you for your work and what you do it is greatly appreciated!

[Terri Warren]

1. I doubt it but cannot be positive about that.
2. NO
3. Yes, there needs to be bodily fluid on the sex toy to transmit virus. And it needs to be done right away during a sexual encounter. Sex toys are much more efficient transmitting virus from females to males than the revers.

Terri

[Looking4answer]

I still have my doubts about my blood tests because I feel I have a bad immune system. Lately I have been sick all the time and I still remain very concerned about my test results.
1. Would you recommend a western blot if I were your patient given my exposure?
2. Could I not be making a detectable amount of antibodies?
3. I do have symptoms of herpes and I did get some sort of tender red rash a few days after this exposure. He did have some sort of yellow bump on his lip. Do you think the tender rash could have been herpes? I only rubbed genitals once or twice though doctors say that is not a concern because no matter how hard I rubbed that is not enough to transmit the virus. Do you believe that as well?
3. How rare is oral hsv2? Is it rare enough where I shouldn’t be so concerned?

[Terri Warren]

1. Would you recommend a western blot if I were your patient given my exposure?

I would recommend a western blot only if you cannot rest easily with the results of the IgG test. Sometimes another confirmatory test can allow people to relax more about a test result – your call

2. Could I not be making a detectable amount of antibodies?

About 2% of people who are actually infected with HSV 2 will test negative on the IgG test but positive on the western blot..

3. I do have symptoms of herpes and I did get some sort of tender red rash a few days after this exposure. He did have some sort of yellow bump on his lip. Do you think the tender rash could have been herpes?

I can’t honestly say – is it possible? yes

I only rubbed genitals once or twice though doctors say that is not a concern because no matter how hard I rubbed that is not enough to transmit the virus. Do you believe that as well?

I believe that one or two genital to genital contacts are very unlikely to result in a herpes infection.

3. How rare is oral hsv2? Is it rare enough where I shouldn’t be so concerned?

Oral HSV 2 is very uncommon and that would not be a worry for me if I was your clinician, no.

This is your final post on this subscription – if you have more questions please feel free to renew this thread.

Terri

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