[Question #9562] About the necessity of tichonomans and herpes wb test
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31 months ago
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Hi,
I had encounters with sex workers over a course of 1 year after covid (it was a tough time for me to get back to dating). After this, I got too worries and got tests after my possible exposure. I had 3 total contacts, 1 protected 2 unprotected oral sex and 2 protected vaginal sex (I pulled out in the middle, something felt wrong, both took less than 30-40 seconds or so). I also got a rash on my scrotum but showed it to two dermatologists and they all told me that it was not herpes (it cleared up in two months or so). So far I am negative for chlomidhya, gonorrea, hiv, syphillis. The only tests that I did not do were trichonomonasis, herpes and hepatitis C. I am now visiting Turkey and looks like I can get a western blot hsv test here. Should I get this test, what are the chances of me getting HSV-2 infection? I think I already have HSV-1 as it is extremely common where I live and my parents have it. Thanks in advance.
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31 months ago
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I should say that they were escorts and two of them had tests showing them negative for chlamdiya, gonorrea, hiv, hep b and syphillis.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
31 months ago
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I would be very skeptical that you could get a real herpes western blot in Turkey but maybe?
From your post, it looks like you had only unprotected oral sex - the rest of your intercourse encounters were protected, is that correct? If that is correct, condoms reduce transmission from women to men by 65% and it also sounds like your encounters were very brief indeed.
Have you had genital sores that concern you or were you thinking of just doing a screening for STI's to include herpes?
The same thing really applies to trich as well. The condom would have done an even better job of preventing you from getting trich and also Hep C.
Good job for using a condom! And I do think the risk of herpes acquisition in this situation is really low. The only meaningful risk would have been HSV 1 from receiving oral sex but you already have that so it would be extremely unlikely to get it genitally.
From my perspective, your risk of herpes, trich and Hep C are incredibly low indeed.
Terri
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31 months ago
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Yes, exactly, I have used a condom for vaginal sex, only oral sex was unprotected (it was not allowed even if I wanted it which of course I would never do without a partner that I wont trust). I am not sure if I have HSV-1, but it's very common where I live and I know relatives who kissed me before have it. I am now doing a general sti-check so I wanted to include herpes as a part of the tests, also hep c and trich since these are the only ones left. I had a rash (redness like underwear burn) (no sores), at two separate times however I got it checked out and both times they told me it's not herpes. I should also clear that I live in Switzerland and the encounters occurred there. I read the herpes book and was afraid that I might be an asymptomatic carrier. For hep-c I think it's pretty much impossible for me to have it. For trich, I am not sure, maybe I can get a urine test. Thank you very much for the response, it really set my mind at ease at that the risk is very low.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
31 months ago
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I'm so glad it helps to put your mind at rest. Peace of mind is worth everything sometimes
Terri
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31 months ago
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Thank you very much Terri, I still got the WB and as expected it was negative for HSV-2 while positive for HSV-1 (I was starting a diet and needed the test for checking other values). I don't think I will be getting the other tests since the risk is pretty much zero. Thank you very much for your help and kind word, you can close this thread.
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31 months ago
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Sorry, but just also want to ask for future reference, is there any risk (meaningful) from unprotected oral sex from catching hsv-2? As far as I understand this is extremely rare.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
31 months ago
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No, we do not believe there is any meaningful risk of acquiring HSV 2 from receiving oral sex.
Terri
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