I have an anxiety issue and a long history of STD fears, including specifically HSV. I identify as lesbian; a few days ago, I had insertive finger sexual contact with a new partner. During that time, she went down to perform oral sex and after maybe 5-10 seconds, I stopped her and communicated that I wasn’t ready for that. We did not have any body-to-body contact or anything else.
I’m very nervous about the oral contact. She does not have any sores or anything on her mouth (I’ve been looking) or hands, but I read about asympomatic shedding, etc. and I become very afraid. Here are my questions:
- How realistic is it to think that a few seconds of oral to genital contact could result in a transmission (assuming she had this to transmit)?
- How common is asymptomatic oral shedding? I read different things on this.
- Does HSV1 prefer the mouth? Would I be at higher risk there since we kissed extensively?
- What is the typical incubation time for this? I’ve read up to two weeks can happen, but I’ve also read that a week or less is more average. When can I breath easier?
I’m in a high stress period and I’m having a hard time handling this fear. Every twitch or pain is freaking me out and making me think it’s prodrome. Curiously, I had a partner who told me she used to get cold sores, though she never did when I was with her, so I'm not sure if I was exposed long ago.
I know you can’t tell the future but I do respect your medical expertise. Thanks.