Based on that, it won't surprise you that after reviewing your previous discussion with Dr. Hook, I agree entirely with his replies.

Herpes doesn't cause the symptoms you report. You cannot read lists of herpes symptoms and conclude, if you have some of them, that you might be infected. It is not those individual symptoms that really matter, but the pattern and combinations of them. For example, herpes lesions may itch, and therefore genital itching is often listed as a symptom. But that doesn't mean that genital itching along suggests herpes. It almost never does, unless there are other symptoms as well. And there may be localized tingling or other sensations in the area where a recurrent outbreaks is about to appear (the prodrome), but not more widely; and pretty much only with recurrent herpes, not the initial infection. Not one of the symptoms you mention raises any particular suspicion of herpes, which does not cause the various itches, burning, stinging, etc that you describe -- especially in so many locations. Further, herpes symptoms do not persist for weeks on end. HSV related symptoms always come and go, typically lasting 1-2 weeks, no more often than once every 4-6 weeks, and between those times there are no symptoms at all. So all by itself, your 8 week duration means herpes is not the cause. Finally, although it can take 12+ weeks for HSV blood tests to become positive, they are almost always positive within 2-4 weeks of onset of herpes symptoms. Therefore, your negative resutls at 7.5 weeks are strong evidence that HSV isn't the cause of any of them.

In addition, the exposure as described in your previous thread (#108) was low risk. The average transmission risk from a single oral sex exposure to a woman of unknown HSV status is probably no higher than 1 in a thousand for HSV1 and zero, for all practical purposes, for HSV2.

Accordingly, based on the exposure and your symptoms, I would have recommended against HSV testing. But now that you have started down that path, you probably should finish -- not because it is medically necessary or that there is any chance you were infected, but only because it will probably drive you crazy to not have as definitive a test result as possible. So go ahead with a final HSV blood test at 16 weeks. You can expect it to remain negative. 

Those comments address your three suspecific questions. But to be explicit so there is no misunderstanding: the answers, sequentially, are no, no, and yes.

I hope this has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe--  HHH, MD

Does this information change your thoughts on my situation?

Do you know anything else that could possibly be causing my symptoms?

Should I relax and stop thinking herpes is the cause of what I'm feeling? My anxiety since exposure has been off the charts.

Once again, thank you so much for your expertise and time. I truly appreciate it.

"Do you know anything else that could possibly be causing my symptoms?" I believe your symptoms are mostly, if not entirely, due to anxiety over the sexual exposure, which you obviously regret.

"Should I relax and stop thinking herpes is the cause of what I'm feeling?" To the extent you can, that is exactly what you should do. And swear off any searching of the internet about herpes, symptoms, and transmission. If you find you still cannot let it go, in view of the repeated, reasoned, science based reassurance you have had from me, Dr. Hook, Terri, and probably your own doctors -- and especially after you get your final negative test result -- then professional counseling would be a logical step. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.

Thanks for the thanks. Take care.

That ends this thread. Please do not start a new thread on this forum about this exposure or your concerns related to it. It would be deleted without reply (and without refund of the posting fee). Finally, re-read my comment above about counseling. Best wishes to you.