1. If I don’t have symptoms within this 10-day period, given I will be checking daily for the slightest symptom – Would you believe I can move forward with absolute certainty that I have not caught HSV from this encounter?
I never offer absolute certainty when there is a sexual encounter like yours.
2. Is it true that all individuals will experience a primary outbreak within the 10-day period from an encounter but it’s just some go unnoticed or are brushed off as something else?
Not everyone who acquires HSV does so with symptoms, especially people who acquire HSV 2 when they already have HSV 1. Eighty-six percent of people who have HSV 2, diagnosed by an accurate blood test, would say that they don’t have genital herpes. So symptoms may or may not be helpful.
3. To confirm, is it a 10-day period where you’d see symptoms or 21 days? I’ve seen different statements online from third parties, but I’ve also seen that 11-12 days would be too late for a primary outbreak.
Again, thank you for your responses.
I would agree that 10 days is most likely, with the average being 5.5 days.
I still think the risk of you acquiring HSV at this encounter was low. You are asking for certainty, which I cannot provide for you; I’m sorry.
Terri