[Question #6109] 4 weeks post possible exposure
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70 months ago
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Long story short. Had very short sexual experience with guy who says he doesn’t have herpes but there was a rumor started that he did. I have had no symptoms. Tested IGG through quest a little more than four weeks post exposure. Negative. My brother is confirmed positive and his first test was done 4 weeks post exposure with a confirmed positive girl. Maybe since we are related I can trust the results? Should I get tested again before I have sex? Need answers!
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70 months ago
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Also the intercourse was unprotected. But very brief because he was having a little trouble if you know what I mean. I guess I’m asking, should I put stock in rumors? Do I have anything to worry about? Just started dating someone else and want to know if I should wait to have intercourse or if I need to disclose anything.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
70 months ago
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Rumors can be very scary but they can also be wrong! I wouldn't put trust in rumors about herpes. have you asked the fellow if he has herpes?
Your brother's result and yours cannot be looked at from the perspective of family members - that doesn't matter in this case.
Four weeks is a very good start but cannot be relied upon fully. If you tested negative by IgG at 6 weeks out, for example, you could rely upon that with 70% certainty (vs. 12 weeks by which time almost everyone has serconverted that is going to seroconvert (i.e. gone from negative to positive). A single very brief act of intercourse with someone who actually IS infected is still low risk, just statistically.
Terri
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70 months ago
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Yes I have asked him and he has insisted that he does not. The only problem is how uneducated he is on it. I looked at the calendar and the test was done at 5 weeks actually. I’ll probably get tested again closer to week 7 (next week). I’m probably just having too much anxiety about it but it definitely is crippling always thinking “what if I do have it”.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
70 months ago
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I can understand your concern but I think it is highly unlikely that you are infected with HSV 2. One technique that works for some people is when the worry thought comes into your head, imagine a giant red STOP sign in your head and focus on that for a few moments and force yourself to think about something else and do this each time. Often when people do this, they burn out on the worry (combined with another negative test)
Terri
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70 months ago
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So I’ve developed a mild sore throat and slightly swollen lymph nodes in neck. 6 weeks post possible exposure. Doctor said probably just a viral infection and that I got it from someone. I have also developed a little itching around the opening of my vagina. I just started a new relationship and we have had sex very frequently so maybe it’s just irritation from that I’m assuming. I already have very sensitive skin, I have psoriasis, and get very bad razor burn when I shave. Like I said, I had a negative IGG test at 4 weeks. Going to my gyno to get an exam tomorrow and probably going to do a retest as well. None of the symptoms I’m experiencing are out of the ordinary for me but like I mentioned. I can’t stop freaking out because of all the different issues I’ve read online. Are these sysptoms consistent with HSV2 and do you think I need to continue to worry?
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70 months ago
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Also I should mention I do have psoriasis in my Genital region near my groin area so there’s always redness in my vaginal area. It’s nothing out of the ordinary as I’ve said before
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
70 months ago
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If you had herpes, this would be a recurrence, not a new infection, this far out. I don't think that any of this sounds anything like herpes to me.
Terri
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