Sunday I slept with a man that I found out later was HSV2 + for 6 plus years. He had no visible outbreak that I saw. We used a condom at first and then it broke without my knowledge. So, unprotected for about 5-10 minutes MAX. I have always been anxious when It comes to contracting herpes. I have been tested years ago after a scare and was negative. I am hyper fixated on myself as this is all very triggering.  I am four days out and have no visual symptoms besides slight discomfort. I am prone to over analyzing myself and I am not sure if the discomfort I feel is due to being anxious. My prior scare took a large toll on my mental health. It took me a long time to be ok. I am feeling guilty for not being more careful. 

1. What are my odds from contracting HSV 2 from this encounter? I am aware of the statistics of Male to Female at 10% per sexual act. 

2. What are my odds of catching any other  STD from this encounter?

3. Should I test myself for HSV again - and go down this rabbit hole again... 

1. What are my odds from contracting HSV 2 from this encounter? I am aware of the statistics of Male to Female at 10% per sexual act. 

That's not quite right.  In discordant couples, one has HSV 2 and the other does not, and they've been together for a while before entering a clinical trial together, the transmission rate varies with each study, but on average, in this situation, having sex about twice a week on average, about 10 women out of 100 will acquire HSV 2, using no condoms and taking no antiviral meds.  I can't give you a percentage of risk here but given 5-10 minutes of unprotected encounter, I would say the odds of acquisition are low.  Do you know if he is taking daily antiviral meds or not?

2. What are my odds of catching any other  STD from this encounter?

I'm sorry, I don't have that percentage, have you asked if he has been tested for other STI's?

3. Should I test myself for HSV again - and go down this rabbit hole again... 

I would say the best way to move forward is this:  you could easily do routine testing for other STI's, but skip HSV due to the high rate of false positives.  Observe carefully for symptoms of lesions in the genital area and if you develop any, get them swab tested.  If you have no symptoms in the next 10 days, your are likely in the clear.  If you find you can't relax about this and want to get tested, you could start with the western blot, the best test or start with the IgG test and if positive, confirm with the blot.

How does that sound to you?

Terri Warren

I have been std tested 6 months ago with no new partners.

Those course of actions sound good to me. I just do not want to spiral into a doom scroll and convincing myself I have HSV2. I have done this before and do not want to put myself through this. Even with knowing a decent about the disease and its relatively low health concerns. It triggers my mental health. 

One last question to confirm.

My chances of acquiring this from a short encounter are very low? If it were you. Would you be very concerned or go about your normal life?

Terri