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HSV1 Genital Panic
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.
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.
You can stop worrying now as there was extremely minimal risk you contracted herpes from this as mentioned if she did not have any lip sores at the time, the oral was not any issue as shedding rarely occurs at 3-5% of the time and also hsv1 perfers the oral area.
About when can I stop worrying about this? I've read that symptoms can start in 2 days or more than 30. I can't handle 30 days of this :( I'm on day four and I'm not doing well.
Hi, from what you describe would not be any real concern youve just contracted herpes. Shedding of hsv1 oral is only abut 3-5% of the time and with her having no lips sores you really need not worry as your risk would be close to zero. Yes hsv1 does prefer the oral area and the fingering is not an issue.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
