[Question #13233] HSV Concerns

1 months ago

Hello,

40-year-old male. After my divorce about a year ago I started to become sexually active again. Getting “back out there” has led me to some anxiety around HSV. Instead of going down a spiral of internet research, I figured I’d ask an expert. Below are my recent encounters. Mind you, after my divorce I got a full STD panel (since my ex-wife was cheating on me) and everything came back negative, including HSV.

6 months ago – Kissing and digit vaginal penetration with woman

2 months ago – Kissing, digit vaginal penetration, and cunnilingus on separate woman

10 days ago – Kissing, digit vaginal penetration, and cunnilingus on separate woman

1 months ago

Continued - In all encounters there was never any oral or vaginal penetration by my penis. There was some light rubbing of my penis on the exposed vagina through mesh shorts. There was also some touching of my penis after digital penetration by myself and the women. But that was a very short amount of time.

After the first two encounters never had any symptoms consistent with HSV-1 or 2. After the 10 days no symptoms of HSV 1 or 2. My question is, would these be considered low risk scenarios for contracting HSV-1 or 2? My main concern is that I could’ve contracted HSV-2 orally via the cunnilingus and HSV-2 genitally by the brief touching of my penis if there was vaginal fluid on the hands. Would you recommend any blood testing? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

Good morning, what you describe here presents little risk for acquiring HSV-1 or HSV-2. Have you ever had a cold sore in your lifetime? If the answer is yes, then you already have HSV-1, and at your age, more than half the population already has HSV-1, many of whom don't know they are infected. If you don't have HSV-1, then kissing could transfer the cold sore virus, HSV-1, from the mouth of someone infected to your mouth. Could you have acquired HSV-2 by giving oral sex to a partner? Yes, that is possible, but very unlikely, mostly because HSV-2 doesn't like living in the oral area at all. The touching of your penis by hands that have vaginal fluid on them is not a risk.

Terri

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1 months ago

Thank you, Terri! Apologies if this is a bit repetitive (haven’t dealt with STDs in over 10 years since I got married). But for future reference and edification so I don’t drive myself crazy going forward, even if there was brief skin to skin penis rubbing on the vagina (talking just several seconds) would there be a risk for HSV? That’s assuming the other person even has it and is not showing symptoms. Also, I’m assuming at this point you wouldn’t recommend me get any blood tests for HSV provided the low risk scenarios I laid out? Certainly don’t want to waste any time or resources if it is warranted. Thanks again for all of your help!

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

that risk would be incredibly small indeed.

I would not suggest IgG testing for the low risk scenarios that you describe, correct.

Terri

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1 months ago

Thanks again, Teri. Really appreciate your help.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

You're welcome!

Terri

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