About a week ago I received a massage from a csw. I engaged in kissing with the csw. No other acts took place other than the massage and kissing. 8 days later I have what I think is a summer cold, sore throat and runny nose followed by extreme sinus congestion and a mild cough. Could this be a sign that I have contracted herpes or other STI? I have experienced no other symptom such as tingling or pain on my lips or face during this time. I have also never had cold sores before. Do you think this could be a sign that I have contracted herpes? Do you recommend testing or is it too early to test? Are there any other signs or symptoms that I should be on the look out for?

Thank you

No.  The symptoms that you are describing are not related in any way to herpes or any other STI, they sound like an upper respiratory infection.  Given what you you did and did not do with the sex worker, I see no reason to test for STI'sl.  The only risk here and it is minimal is getting the cold sore (HSV) virus from the kissing.  If you've had no symptoms at 10 days out, even that then is extremely unlikely.

Terri