Hi Doctor, Almost one month ago I had two sexual encounters with a partner of unknown status. In the first encounter, there was about a 2 mins of genital rubbing. His penis rubbed again my bare skin, but mainly on the pubic area (not near the vaginal opening.) He also ejaculated on my upper vulva. There was no direct contact with my more "mucous" genital area, for lack of a better description. The second encounter involved protected intercourse with a condom, no uncovered skin to skin contact of any kind. 3 days following the incidents, I started feeling generalized vulvar itch, tingling, burning and pricking pains. The irritation is in different places, and comes unprovoked at random times. I visited a general doctor a week later, and received a course of Diflucan in the case these symptoms were yeast related. The generalized discomfort has remained, thus ruling out yeast. The symptoms have not been accompanied by any kind of sore, blister etc. I have been checking obsessively. My gynecologist took a look as well, and had no concerns. I have experienced generaI vulvodynia in the past, and the current symptoms are reminiscent but less severe. 

I have read in other STD forums that there is only about a 1 in 1,000 chance of a herpes transmission, when partners are having unprotected intercourse 2-3 times per week over the course of the year. I know that this puts my risk close to zero. - The encounter transpired in hot humid weather, outdoors. I'm sure this is a ridiculous question, but can than increase the likelihood of transmission? - Even in the unlikely circumstance that he had an active sore on the tip of his penis, can I rest easy since it’s been almost a month and I have no sores? I know it’s impossible to give me a probability of transmission, but I would appreciate any peace of mind you can provide.   - 

*I have had protected sexual intercourse with 3 other partners within the last 8 months. Status unconfirmed (other than verbal confidences), but they practice safe sex too. I did not experience any vulvar symptoms after those encounters. Hi Doctor, Almost one month ago I had two sexual encounters with a partner of unknown status. In the first encounter, there was about a 2 mins of genital rubbing. His penis rubbed again my bare skin, but mainly on the pubic area (not near the vaginal opening.) He also ejaculated on my upper vulva. There was no direct contact with my more "mucous" genital area, for lack of a better description. The second encounter involved protected intercourse with a condom, no uncovered skin to skin contact of any kind. 3 days following the incidents, I started feeling generalized vulvar itch, tingling, burning and pricking pains. The irritation is in different places, and comes unprovoked at random times. I visited a general doctor a week later, and received a course of Diflucan in the case these symptoms were yeast related. The generalized discomfort has remained, thus ruling out yeast. The symptoms have not been accompanied by any kind of sore, blister etc. I have been checking obsessively. My gynecologist took a look as well, and had no concerns. I have experienced generaI vulvodynia in the past, and the current symptoms are reminiscent but less severe. 

I have read in other STD forums that there is only about a 1 in 1,000 chance of a herpes transmission, when partners are having unprotected intercourse 2-3 times per week over the course of the year. I know that this puts my risk close to zero. - The encounter transpired in hot humid weather, outdoors. I'm sure this is a ridiculous question, but can than increase the likelihood of transmission? - Even in the unlikely circumstance that he had an active sore on the tip of his penis, can I rest easy since it’s been almost a month and I have no sores? I know it’s impossible to give me a probability of transmission, but I would appreciate any peace of mind you can provide.   - 

*I have had protected sexual intercourse with 3 other partners within the last 8 months. Status unconfirmed (other than verbal confidences), but they practice safe sex too. I did not experience any vulvar symptoms after those encounters. 

 If an infected male is having sex with an uninfected female twice per week, no condoms, no daily medicine, no sex with outbreaks, about 10 women in 100 will become infected in that year - some studies show a lot more, some a lot less - this is an average.  Given the situations that you describe, I think herpes is unlikely.  You've had no sores which is important, but not definitive.  Have you had any herpes antibody testing done?  I'm not saying that these encounters necessarily warrant testing, just asking what you history with testing might be.

Terri
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