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Is it possible to catch HSV-2 from manual stimulation?
I (F) have a new sex partner (M) and we’re trying to be very safe by getting STD tested before having sex. Well, before getting any results back, we thought it would be safe enough to masturbate each other. I washed my hands and gave him a handjob. Then, he washed his hands then fingered me. Or at least, I *think* he washed his hands... at this point, I’m not sure anymore if I can trust that he did it or did a good enough job of it. Some other behaviors have started to reveal him to be somewhat of a liar...
Anyways, a couple weeks later, I started having a minor itch on one of my labia. I had night sweats one night. Developed indigestion and abdominal cramping. Frequent urge to urinate, and light pressure/pain while urinating (not a full burn, but not normal). Then I had a small bit of yellow discharge. I went straight to my primary care doctor for testing (chlamydia, gonorrea, trich, yeast, bv). Upon visual inspection, doc said everything appeared normal. Tests came back negative. They did not test for HSV. The labia itch continued to get worse, and while I haven’t had any obvious sores (I do get cold sores so I know what they look like), my labia is certainly quite irritated. Ive also started having some weird tingling sensations on my thighs, buttocks, and bottom of feet. They are definitely nerve sensations, as I’m very familiar with that feeling from my oral HSV-1 outbreaks.
I’ve read you can get HSV-2 and be very mildly symptomatic. So I’m very worried that’s what this is.
It’s been 6 weeks now since potential exposure. I’m still having minor labia itch, random tingling and itching in my labia, buttocks, and thighs. But it’s slowly getting better. I’ve heard the blood results aren’t accurate until 12-16 weeks, so I’m freaking out in the meantime. Can someone help put my mind at ease or give me an idea of what the risk is from this level of sexual activity? Thank you!!
Anyways, a couple weeks later, I started having a minor itch on one of my labia. I had night sweats one night. Developed indigestion and abdominal cramping. Frequent urge to urinate, and light pressure/pain while urinating (not a full burn, but not normal). Then I had a small bit of yellow discharge. I went straight to my primary care doctor for testing (chlamydia, gonorrea, trich, yeast, bv). Upon visual inspection, doc said everything appeared normal. Tests came back negative. They did not test for HSV. The labia itch continued to get worse, and while I haven’t had any obvious sores (I do get cold sores so I know what they look like), my labia is certainly quite irritated. Ive also started having some weird tingling sensations on my thighs, buttocks, and bottom of feet. They are definitely nerve sensations, as I’m very familiar with that feeling from my oral HSV-1 outbreaks.
I’ve read you can get HSV-2 and be very mildly symptomatic. So I’m very worried that’s what this is.
It’s been 6 weeks now since potential exposure. I’m still having minor labia itch, random tingling and itching in my labia, buttocks, and thighs. But it’s slowly getting better. I’ve heard the blood results aren’t accurate until 12-16 weeks, so I’m freaking out in the meantime. Can someone help put my mind at ease or give me an idea of what the risk is from this level of sexual activity? Thank you!!
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No, you can only get hsv2 from direct, unclothed skin to skin contact of the genitals. His genitals would have to come into contact with your genitals, and there would have to be some friction. It's usually the kind associated with intercourse, but could be heavy grinding or rubbing.
Hands do not transmit hsv2, even if they are unwashed.
Have you been back to your doctor? I don't know what you have going on, but if all you did was use hands, it's not herpes from this person, or any other STD.
No STD causes indigestion, and that might be coincidence. What about testing for a UTI?
It can take up to 12 weeks to test positive for hsv2, but many test positive sooner. If this is hsv2, it's not from this encounter. If you decide to get tested, your doctor can do a PCR swab of the area to see if it detects herpes - it's much more sensitive than a regular culture. If you get a type specific IgG blood test, there are false positives on the hsv2 test, so take that into consideration. It can cause a lot of distress and cost a lot of money to unravel that. I'd start with a PCR swab before a blood test, and get a PCR swab first.
Hands do not transmit hsv2, even if they are unwashed.
Have you been back to your doctor? I don't know what you have going on, but if all you did was use hands, it's not herpes from this person, or any other STD.
No STD causes indigestion, and that might be coincidence. What about testing for a UTI?
It can take up to 12 weeks to test positive for hsv2, but many test positive sooner. If this is hsv2, it's not from this encounter. If you decide to get tested, your doctor can do a PCR swab of the area to see if it detects herpes - it's much more sensitive than a regular culture. If you get a type specific IgG blood test, there are false positives on the hsv2 test, so take that into consideration. It can cause a lot of distress and cost a lot of money to unravel that. I'd start with a PCR swab before a blood test, and get a PCR swab first.
5 Comments
Thank you so much for your reply! This has definitely calmed my nerves a bit.
Yes, they did a urine test which was 25000-50000 mixed flora. From my understanding, that’s normal. WBC Esterase was negative.
As an experiment, I’ve quit taking my probiotics to see if they are the culprit to my indigestion.
I’ve not gone back to the doctor quite yet, though I think I will do an IGG test to be sure. My last one (before this encounter) came back negative.
I should also mention I took 400mg acyclovir 3x a day for one week, after I started experiencing symptoms. I wouldn’t say the symptoms went away, but they didn’t get worse (I did not experience any blisters/sores). I then stopped taking the pills and did not feel a surge in symptoms.
Would taking those pills potentially affect my IGG test? Do I need to wait longer than 12 weeks to have a definitive answer?
Thanks again!
Yes, they did a urine test which was 25000-50000 mixed flora. From my understanding, that’s normal. WBC Esterase was negative.
As an experiment, I’ve quit taking my probiotics to see if they are the culprit to my indigestion.
I’ve not gone back to the doctor quite yet, though I think I will do an IGG test to be sure. My last one (before this encounter) came back negative.
I should also mention I took 400mg acyclovir 3x a day for one week, after I started experiencing symptoms. I wouldn’t say the symptoms went away, but they didn’t get worse (I did not experience any blisters/sores). I then stopped taking the pills and did not feel a surge in symptoms.
Would taking those pills potentially affect my IGG test? Do I need to wait longer than 12 weeks to have a definitive answer?
Thanks again!
I should add that my doctor refuses to do a swab because “there’s nothing here to swab”
No, a week of acyclovir won't affect any testing.
Your doctor obviously doesn't know about PCR testing. It can find herpes even when there is "nothing here to swab", though it does help when there are symptoms, because then the test can help determine if the labia itch is related to herpes.
You can read more about it here - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/
The CDC recommends it here - https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/herpes.htm -they use NAAT testing, as PCR is a type of NAAT test. You can show your doctor this. If they are diagnosing herpes, they need to be aware of this.
It explains it more here - https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/herpes-testing/ :
"NAAT methods are the preferred method, with PCR as the most-widely used NAAT method. These tests are fast, accurate, and can tell if a person has HSV-1 or HSV-2. There is also less chance of a false negative result with NAATs."
And you do have "something there" - your labia is very irritated. That's a symptom. I don't think it's herpes, necessarily, but it's a symptom. Just because you don't have blisters doesn't mean it's not a symptom, or that there's "nothing there".
(Sorry for the mini rant. Doctors annoy me.)
So in the meantime, what is causing your symptoms? Have you started using anything new? New soap, cleansers, detergents, toilet paper, wipes, etc? Did you buy new underwear? Did anything you use change formulas - do they say "new and improved" or anything? Did you change how you shave or remove hair?
Think of everything that touches the area. Maybe you are having a reaction to something.
Your doctor obviously doesn't know about PCR testing. It can find herpes even when there is "nothing here to swab", though it does help when there are symptoms, because then the test can help determine if the labia itch is related to herpes.
You can read more about it here - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/
The CDC recommends it here - https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/herpes.htm -they use NAAT testing, as PCR is a type of NAAT test. You can show your doctor this. If they are diagnosing herpes, they need to be aware of this.
It explains it more here - https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/herpes-testing/ :
"NAAT methods are the preferred method, with PCR as the most-widely used NAAT method. These tests are fast, accurate, and can tell if a person has HSV-1 or HSV-2. There is also less chance of a false negative result with NAATs."
And you do have "something there" - your labia is very irritated. That's a symptom. I don't think it's herpes, necessarily, but it's a symptom. Just because you don't have blisters doesn't mean it's not a symptom, or that there's "nothing there".
(Sorry for the mini rant. Doctors annoy me.)
So in the meantime, what is causing your symptoms? Have you started using anything new? New soap, cleansers, detergents, toilet paper, wipes, etc? Did you buy new underwear? Did anything you use change formulas - do they say "new and improved" or anything? Did you change how you shave or remove hair?
Think of everything that touches the area. Maybe you are having a reaction to something.
Thanks again for your reply.
Well, I do have eczema but it only occurs on my arms. I suppose it could be on my labia now, but the timing seems an awful strange coincidence.
Because of my sensitive skin, I never use scented anything. I consistently use the same brand of hand soap, detergent, toilet paper, etc and all are eczema friendly. If I ever change brands for any product, I do it one at a time and monitor for symptoms for a couple weeks.
Hypothetically, if I *do* have eczema down there, would that mean I’m higher risk to contract HSV or bacterial infections via casual contact (such as fingering) which wouldn’t normally infect others? I understand if it’s incredibly rare, but not completely impossible, right?
Either way, I’ll definitely be getting an IGG test to know for sure. I’ll see about the PCR swab as well.
Well, I do have eczema but it only occurs on my arms. I suppose it could be on my labia now, but the timing seems an awful strange coincidence.
Because of my sensitive skin, I never use scented anything. I consistently use the same brand of hand soap, detergent, toilet paper, etc and all are eczema friendly. If I ever change brands for any product, I do it one at a time and monitor for symptoms for a couple weeks.
Hypothetically, if I *do* have eczema down there, would that mean I’m higher risk to contract HSV or bacterial infections via casual contact (such as fingering) which wouldn’t normally infect others? I understand if it’s incredibly rare, but not completely impossible, right?
Either way, I’ll definitely be getting an IGG test to know for sure. I’ll see about the PCR swab as well.
Any time you have broken or irritated skin, it makes it easier for any germ to enter the skin.
Fingering, however, still has no risk for STDs. They just aren't transmitted that way.
Keep us posted. :)
Fingering, however, still has no risk for STDs. They just aren't transmitted that way.
Keep us posted. :)
Just wanted to post an update here. Got test results back and they were negative. That’s from 7 weeks post-encounter, so I suppose it’s not definitive, but it’s a good sign.
My abdominal symptoms went away after quitting the probiotics.
So I stopped taking some other supplements (Perilla and Ganoderma), and the UTI symptoms seemed to fade away.
I do still get occasional itching, but it’s lessened. Maybe residual allergies to the pills I was taking? I don’t know, but at any rate, things are overall looking better.
I might get another test at 12 weeks to be absolutely sure. Otherwise, my mind is mostly at ease.
Thanks again for your help. It’s really nice that you’re here for so many people in difficult situations.
My abdominal symptoms went away after quitting the probiotics.
So I stopped taking some other supplements (Perilla and Ganoderma), and the UTI symptoms seemed to fade away.
I do still get occasional itching, but it’s lessened. Maybe residual allergies to the pills I was taking? I don’t know, but at any rate, things are overall looking better.
I might get another test at 12 weeks to be absolutely sure. Otherwise, my mind is mostly at ease.
Thanks again for your help. It’s really nice that you’re here for so many people in difficult situations.
3 Comments
Are you and this man still seeing each other? Can he test? That could put this matter to bed for you, so to speak. This would be entirely for peace of mind, since you had no risk, but it's something that is on your mind.
One thing that is often overlooked is that no matter how "natural" a supplement is, it can still have side effects. Maybe some of your symptoms were from what you were taking, for sure. I understand this - if there is a possible side effect, I seem to get it. It's very frustrating. :(
I'm happy things are overall looking better. I hope they continue to improve. :)
One thing that is often overlooked is that no matter how "natural" a supplement is, it can still have side effects. Maybe some of your symptoms were from what you were taking, for sure. I understand this - if there is a possible side effect, I seem to get it. It's very frustrating. :(
I'm happy things are overall looking better. I hope they continue to improve. :)
We are no longer seeing each other. He disrespected my boundaries and did some other things that completely broke my trust in him. I wouldn’t even trust him not to photoshop the test results.
I’m fairly certain I’m ok, and I’ve been tested for all other STD’s as well. I’m fairly certain everything is ok.
I’ll check back if those 12 week tests somehow turn up positive. Thanks again for your help! :)
I’m fairly certain I’m ok, and I’ve been tested for all other STD’s as well. I’m fairly certain everything is ok.
I’ll check back if those 12 week tests somehow turn up positive. Thanks again for your help! :)
I'm sorry he turned out to be so untrustworthy. You deserve far better.
Yes, keep us posted, and take care of you. :)
Yes, keep us posted, and take care of you. :)
Retested again at 16 weeks and the test results are negative. Most of my symptoms have gone away. Still having some hip/leg nerve pain and getting PT to sort that out. Thanks again for your help!
1 Comments
Congrats! I hope the PT helps, and it all gets better. :)
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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.
