[Question #10220] Risk of Herpes-2 Contraction
24 months ago
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Hello, I'd like to see if I can assess my risk of having contracted herpes-2 and a testing plan.
I had unprotected sex with someone twice who unbeknownst to me at the time was currently experiencing a herpes outbreak on their buttocks somewhere. My penis did not contact this area where the outbreak was but my hands likely did. We had vaginal sex and oral sex. Even while I did not contact this area specifically with my penis I'd like to know my risk for infection. I've asked before where if there is no outbreak the chances were very small (something like 3ish% for sex twice a week for a year). Unfortunately she was currently experiencing an outbreak while we had sex so does my risk skyrocket and is it possible to give a realistic %?
Further, regardless of the answer I will be testing as soon as possible where I would get a very likely accurate result (even while I know it may take a few months to be absolutely sure?)
Thank you!
24 months ago
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Im going to add one more prong if I may- let's assume same facts but that she actually has active herpes on her vagina too.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
24 months ago
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Well, your risk is higher than if she had not had an outbreak anywhere, likely. People who get buttocks outbreaks also shed virus from the genital areas as well, but not always. An outbreak on the labia would definitely have put you at more risk. I can't give you an exact percentage but you should surely be observing your penis for any changes. If you see any that concern you, simply get them swab tested for HSV 2.
You could get a baseline test now and then repeat in about 6-8 weeks. If you are negative now and positive at a high level down the road, this represents a new infection. Remember that there are false positives on this tet so if you get a low positive (a number less than 4), you should obtain confirmatory testing. I'll leave this thread open and you can report any test results and I'll help you sort through them
Terri
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24 months ago
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Hi Terri,
Can you go into more details on the test? When I typically get tested its from stdcheck.com and looks like:
"Herpes 2: Normal"
So I'm confused about the numerical value and whether the tests youre discussing are different from this (this is a blood test).
No physical changes on the penis (as of yet) so nothing to swab (or am I incorrect and it can be swabbed just generally?)
Can I get blood-tested already, I thought I had to wait at least like 1.5 weeks - 2 weeks. To be clear I had sex 3 days ago (and then say about 10 days ago).
Finally, I see it broken down much clearer for non-shedding and here you only say "higher." I understand it's higher but is more likely than not I will get it? Is it substantial certainty? Is it still unlikely? Anything you can give me to set my expectations would be helpful! Thanks Terry.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
24 months ago
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I don't know why they are reporting it that way - that's not usual but I would interpret that as a negative.
It would not be useful to swab normal looking penis skin, no.
Testing now is definitely too soon, but at least you have a baseline antibody test that says you were negative.
Two weeks after the encounter is way too soon. Best something like 6 weeks.
It is not a certainty that you will get this, no, certainly not. But we don't have statistics on how likely it is that you will get this, I'm afraid. If you have no symptoms within 2-10 days, it is less likely that you are infected.
Terri
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