risk of herpes, etc.

[paranoidandroid]

Dr. Rockoff,

   Let me preface this by saying that I'm extremely neurotic my health and whatnot. Nevertheless, I had an encounter this evening with a woman who had herpes. After she informed me that she had HSV I stopped everything. Although there was no direct contact, I did touch her and then myself and she touched herself and then me. When she told me that she has herpes she swore that she hasn't had an outbreak in ages, but I still insisted on stopping.

   I went immediately to the bathroom and washed myself and then left. When I got home I showered and washed myself again. My mother gets fever blisters and has Zovirax, so I used that in all the potential areas of contact. Basically, I'm wondering that, with the precautions I took, and the fact there was no direct contact and that she didn't have an outbreak, am I safe?

   Also, I guess this isn't exactly your field, but I asked her if she had anything else and she sort of dodged the question. I'm reasonably sure it's next to impossible to catch HIV from kissing, but I guess I'd like to hear it from a doctor?

   Anyway, I'm sorry if my questions are ridiculous. I try to not put myself in these situations since I know I have mental issues with them. The fact that the one time I let myself get into a situation like this and the girl had herpes and/or whatever else is not very reassuring to me. Please advise. Thanks.

[paranoidandroid]

Well the whole stomach thing lasted throughout Saturday, but I woke up this morning feeling much better in that regard. I suppose it was just something I ate.

[paranoidandroid]

This morning I woke up with nausea and diarrhea. Is this random and unrelated?

[paranoidandroid]

Wait wait, I guess I wasn't clear. I meant she has genital herpes. So I touched her genitals then myself, etc. Does that change anything?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Without a visible scab or blister, the chances of transmission may not be zero, but they're awfully close.  With the precautions you took, I think you have nothing to be concerned about.  As for HIV, that's even less likely.  

You may want to address your mental issues, as you call them.  There are an awful lot of people out there who once had a cold sore.....

Best.

Dr. Rockoff