The genital to genital rubbing present some small risk – certainly not a significant risk as along as there was no penetration. Painful lymph nodes usually doesn’t happen with herpes though enlarged lymph nodes can be an issue with new herpes, yes.
Most people do get symptoms or herpes, but you are correct that they are so minimal that most people don’t recognize them as herpes related so we are on the same page about that. I see people as patients ALL THE TIME that have herpes symptoms but while interviewing them before the exam, they say they have no bumps, lesions, sores, etc. Then when I do the exam and find something suggestive of herpes, they say they didn’t notice that. That’s what I am referring to.
Your big risk in the encounter that you describe is HSV 1 which you already have so that is not a concern.
So glad that you obtained a western blot to clarify your situation but it doesn’t sound like you believe what the “experts” have to say about diagnosis. That’s OK, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. You believe that you have herpes despite all sorts of evidence to the contrary. The main problem I address on this board is people who believe they have herpes despite evidence to the contrary so I’m used to this issue. I just don’t know what else to say. Do I think you have HSV 2? No.
Terri