HSV-1 Genital Herpes

[ja_1730]

A little over two years ago, I received oral sex from a stripper. The oral sex lasted about two minutes and I did not ejaculate into her mouth. I also gave her oral sex for about five minutes. While the lighting was dim, I did not see any sores on or around her mouth nor on or around her vagina. I have no concrete knowledge of her std status, but she told me that she did not have any diseases or infections. I went to the health clinic on campus a week or two after the encounter, however, I had no physical symptoms aside from a great deal of anxiety. The doctor thought that it was unlikely I had contracted anything, particularly since I did not have any physical symptoms, but ordered up a full range of std tests just to be on the safe side. I can’t recall exactly, but I know we waited a little longer for a herpes and hiv blood test. I think the test was taken at five or six weeks after the encounter. The blood tests came back negative for hiv and negative for hsv-1 and hsv-2. Reading on the this site, it seems that my blood test may have been done too early for accurate testing, but the doctor seemed satisfied with the results and concluded that I do not have herpes and needn’t worry. Did he make the correct decision? I have not had any physical symptoms of herpes since my encounter with the stripper and generally have no reason to believe that I am infected with herpes except for the fact that so many sites say that people can have herpes for years and never exhibit any symptoms. Or is it in fact that the symptoms are so mild in some people that they are dismissed rather than never exhibited at all? My overall question, however, is should I assume that I am indeed not infected with genital hsv-1? Can I sleep easy or should I go get more blood tests? I saw on another post by Grace that those who get hsv-1 of the genitals tend to exhibit physical symptoms and perhaps have even more pronounced physical symptoms for the first outbreak than hsv-2.  Is this true?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, I would call mutual masturbation no risk behavior.  Yes, HSV 1 can be shed from the mouth, even when there are no symptoms.

It is possible to get a first infection without symptoms, yes, but when someone is looking very carefully, I think that is far less likely.  

Terri

[ja_1730]

Thus first time infections of genital Hsv-1 can be asymptomatic with no symptoms? I have been with a couple of partners were we engaged in mutual masturbation, but that is it and it is my understanding that the risk of such activities is essentially zero. Correct? So by your response, i assume then that my current partner still sheds Hsv-1 orally even if she never has another outbreak?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I can only address the timing of the tests, actually.  You can have herpes without symptoms.  But is certainly is important that you have no symptoms, that's a very good thing.  

There is some small amount of risk that you would acquire HSV 1 from your partner, even if she has no symptoms.  

have you had any contacts between that previous partner and this one?

Terri

[ja_1730]

Thank you for your response. It has been almost 2.5 years since my encounter and I have had no leisions, bumps, etc. Does this long period of time since the encounter affect your reply? Also, as a follow up question, I think I will be with my current partner in the long term, she has oral Hsv-1, but has not had an outbreak in ten years. If she does not get outbreaks, am I still at risk for genital Hsv-1 when we engage in oral sex?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I do think the testing might have been done a touch too early, but since you were negative for both and have no symptoms now, I doubt that you are infected.  Certainty about test results at 6 weeks post infection is about 70% correct.  How long has it been now since the encounter?  I think if you test negative at 12-16 weeks, you won't have to think about this again.  If you can sleep better with 70% certainty and no symptoms, then there is no need to retest.   This must be your decision in the end.
First infection with either HSV 1 or HSV 2, if the person has neither antibody, can be very symptomatic or subtle.  Both are possible.
Terri