[Question #10627] Any possible STI exposure

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21 months ago
I met a girl whose HSV1 & HSV2 status is currently unknown. All other tests for STI’s are negative. I do not have HSV (1 &2) currently. We engaged in some aggressive fingering (vaginal and anal), where I fingered her for several minutes. During this whole time I was clothed (except at the very end) and at the very end she gave me a hand job. Also she did not touch herself at all during this time. Prior to engaging in the fingering, we kissed for about 2-3 seconds, no tongue involved but on the lips and hers were moist. I asked her about any herpes test and she said that she tested negative back in 2019. And she has never had any cold sores or lesions ever. At the time of this encounter, she did not have any active lesions or sores. What is my risk of contracting HSV1? Do you recommend testing for HSV1&2? My stress is because I am married and do not want to infect my wife. What is my risk for any STI (including HSV1) from this encounter? Thanks in advance for your answers. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
21 months ago
I think the risk of acquiring HSV 1 from her at this episode are very unlikely.  The only risk that I see at all was the kissing and that was very minimal, given the brief time involved and the lack of more aggressive mouth involvement.  Nothing else that you've described her puts you at risk of the acquisition of any STI

Terri
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21 months ago
Thanks for the response Terri. The kissing was minimal and restricted to 3 (1)second kisses on the lips and was not aggressive in any manner. What are the typical statistics of HSV-1 transmission in relation to number of exposures? What is the average/median time from exposure to start of symptoms? In case of transmission, is there any swelling (especially on the lip) associated prior to appearance of any blisters? What is typically reported as early symptoms to watch out for in case of transmission? Thanks
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
21 months ago
Whoops sorry I missed this follow up question.
Three - 1 second kisses on the lips does not sound to me at all like a method of transmission in your situation.  
The average time from infection to symptoms is 5.5 days with the range being 2-10 days.  
With a new infection, there could be swelling prior to lesions showing up, yes.  You would be looking for things that look like water blisters on the lips that are normally tender.

Terri
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