[Question #11630] Herpes exposure (really panicking)

13 months ago

Hi,

So I am really worried....

Last night I was with my date and we were about to have sex. We never really did have any vaginal sex, however this was the exposure

1. I gave him a blowjob
2. His penis touched by buttocks when he hugged me from behind
3. We did mutual masturbation, he lightly masturbated and then around 30 seconds to 1 minute later he fingered me

Then the panic happened...I saw some scabs on his penis. I asked him what it was and he said he thought it was from masturbation. However, these looked like really small red deep scabs in groups. I told him, honestly, it resembles herpes.

He went to the hospital later, and the doctor agreed, it looks like herpes. But because the scabs were almost healed they said that they recommend him coming in later for an IGG bloodtest.

I am really worried about my exposure here. Do I need to get a test?

13 months ago

I also want to add that he told me he got cold sores when he was really young. So I suspect this would be herpes type 2...? If not, I guess autoinoculation?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

13 months ago

The risk here is you giving me oral sex. His penis touching your buttocks is not a risk because the skin of the buttocks is too thick for virus to penetrate without a break in the skin of the buttocks. The fingering is not a risk

I would suggest that you observe your mouth carefully for any changes and if you see any, get the changes swab tested.

Have you ever been tested for HSV by an antibody test to know where you were herpes-wise prior to this incident? You could get a baseline IgG now, but the IgG tests do have lots of false positives, so you risk that if you do a baseline test. If you don't do the test as a baseline you could consider doing it about 6-8 weeks out but if you do, then you should be prepared to do a western blot if it is positive.

I would agree with you that this is far more likely to be HSV 2 since he has had cold sores since childhood. And it does sound herpetic to me as well.

Try not to panic because if the scabs were present, there is likely much less virus around in scabbing format.

Terri

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13 months ago

Hi Terri!

I had an IGG around 2 years ago but I’ve had sexual encounters after so I guess it’s pretty meaningless at this point.

I’m really worried because as a person i have very sensitive skin, so I can get hives easily, I have keratosis pilaris, I get ingrown and razor burn so easily and also I get sometimes can get itchy lips and bumps. Overall I’ve always had very sensitive skin.

Should I look out for blisters and painful sores? What if I get a mild sore throat, I get it easily though due to the weather and AC :(

Regarding the genital area, I’ve had some folliculitus on my buttocks and I have popped pimples so I had some scabs where his penis might have touched me. Well at least his penis was pressed on my buttocks at least 5 seconds when he hugged me from the back. Also even if I touched his penis and then a while after I scratched a scab from ingrown on my vulva I popped before. Regarding all of this, can I . Can I still stop thinking about the genital encounter?

Also, is it true that oral HSV2 is harder to cause an infection orally? Is it because the nature of the virus? Should I have hope?

And if I’m negative for HSV2 (IGG) after 6-8weeks, , do you I can leave this behind me?

Thank you for your time Terri.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

13 months ago

HSV 2 doesn't like the oral area, correct, so we see it there only rarely.

I do think you can put the genital/buttocks contact behind you, yes.

Yes, you should look out for painful sores and blisters. You'll probably be noticing all sorts of things on your body in the next 10 days or so but try to sort out what is over observing and what is really something very different and concerning.

Also, is he going to be tested to be sure this was HSV? I think it is really admirable that he went to a hospital that same day to have this checked out, don't you?

If you test completely negative for HSV 2 in 6-8 weeks, yes, I think you can put this behind you. The IgG test looks for a single antibody protein that comes up relatively early in infection.

Terri

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13 months ago

Hi Terri!
Thank you for your reply.

Yes really admirable, I really agree with you. He went to the hopsital the day after, so I was really surpised that he listened to my advice and went there so quickly.

Since the sores was technically almost healed according to the doctor, he will follow with an IGG very soon. Since his last sexual encounter was around 6 months ago, he will take the test this week I think. He told me he has gotten cold sores since elementary school, so yes if this is actual genital herpes, then we can assume it is HSV2 right?

I am so surprised by this virus. I asked him if he has had any weird symptoms before, but he says he dont think so. I guess if it is herpes, the symptoms must be really mild. Because honestly, the sores, they were very tiny and almost not noticable at first sight.

If he tests negative on the IGG for HSV2, do you still think I need testing? I know that he will test positive for HSV1 because of the cold sores, if he doesnt fall in the 30 % range that the tests miss some times.

And again, really thank you. You helped me a lot through this situation.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

13 months ago

He can take the IgG test now given his last contact was 6 months ago, yes

If this is HSV, the symptoms are mild due to his previous infection with HSV 1. If he tests negative, I don't think you need to test, no.

And yes, since he has cold sores since a young age, if this is HSV, it is very likely HSV 2.

Although we've reached our maximum posts, I am going to leave this open so you can share his results with me when they come back, if you wish

Terri

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