Determining whether or not I am HSV-2 positive

[theintrepidfox]

Hi all,

I recently had protected sex with a new partner and found out she is HSV-2 positive (genital herpes). We used condoms, she had no outbreak, and she was on an antiviral medication (not sure which one). Given the factors, I would guess my chances of having contracted the virus are slim (but nonzero). It has only been three days, but I have had no outbreak or any unusual feelings.

While I am fortunate to have no consequences so far, I'm still very concerned that I may be a carrier. I am a sexually active person with multiple partners, and as a responsible adult, I don't want to put anyone at risk. I would like to prove (within the best of my ability) that I am HSV-2 negative, but it seems that I need to wait ~4 months for my body to build (or not build) antibodies to the virus before a blood test could determine anything. 4 months of celibacy is of course doable, but a huge bummer for me. I would like to safely resume my sexual activity as soon as possible. Am I overlooking another option to be safe and continue my sex life as it was a week ago?

Many thanks for your thoughtful responses.

[Fleetwood20]

If safe means being very confident of not have HSV2, then a test at 12 weeks should do the trick, or a little longer such as 16 weeks if you already have HSV1.

If you are going to have further sexual with the lady with HSV2, then there really is no point in testing until after that relationship ceases.

[theintrepidfox]

Thanks Fleetwood for confirming this. I was hoping that there might be some other option that doesn't require so much waiting. No luck I guess?

Here's another follow up question. It's been a week now, and I have not had any sign of outbreak. However, I do feel a little under the weather. I've read that flu-like symptoms are common during the first outbreak. In the case where a person contracts HSV-2 and does not ever have an outbreak (seems like 50-80% of people based on what I read) do they still exhibit these symptoms? It's also possible I'm sick for completely separate reasons; a few people around me have been sick since the weather just turned cold. I'm just wondering how much I should worry...

For the record I am ceasing the relationship with the girl until I decide that it's worth the risk of contracting HSV-2.