HSV risk from this exposure

[Alex2014_123]

Hi all,

I have a question with regards to my risk of acquiring HSV. I've read through all of Dr. Handsfield previous replies to similar questions and feel a bit more relaxed knowing that this is most likely low risk and should not worry about it, but as most people here, I obviously do... So here's the story. I'm a 28 year old male and have been single for quite some time, this is due to various reasons but mostly unfaithful girlfriends and having my heart ripped out one too many times.
So foolishly I let my 'little brain' do the thinking for once and decided to visit a sex worker - From the very start there was a condom in place so basically hands didn't even touch the skin, but there was protected oral and vaginal sex - obviously I know that the base of the penis and the testicles don't get covered by the condom and that they do make contact with the other persons skin and this obviously worries me. This was now 5 days ago and so far I don't have any symptoms whatsoever - this was my only sexual encounter for the past year. I visited my local doctor asking for advice and she said the following: this is low risk and you shouldn't be overly worried, but we don't provide blood tests for this, so you'll basically have to wait it out for 6 months to be sure.

It's in my nature to be overly worried and I almost haven't slept in the past 5 days because all sorts of thoughts flash through my mind and I have to keep this up for another 6 months, I'm gonna go crazy! So my question to the forum is, what level of risk do you think I have from this encounter? And how long should I be worried about this or be hyper alert for any HSV symptoms? From what I gather from Dr. Handsfield - If you do not see any symptoms a few weeks after this exposure (3 - 4 weeks) you can be confident that you did not acquire HSV and that there's no need for further testing? Do you agree?

I realize this was a stupid decision to make and this will also be the first and last time I do something like this, but I do really appreciate all the feedback all of you can provide me with regards to this exposure as I do want to step into a relationship again in the future.

Many many thanks in advance.

Br,
Alex

[Life360_Dave]

Yes a blood test igg type specific

[Alex2014_123]

Understood, I have no problem getting tested at 3 months, I'm assuming that you're referring to blood tests? But my doctor told me they only do swab tests when symptoms occur. And that blood test were not possible, so should I go back and ask if she can do a specific IGG test for HSV?

[Life360_Dave]

No you cant assume and you can ask as many questions as you want. To protect others test for the below at the window period listed:
1. Herpes---3 months
2. syphilis----6 weeks

[Alex2014_123]

No I'm single at the moment. But would like to make sure that future gf's are safe from what I experienced. So I can presume that after some weeks, I'm safe to enter into a relationship if the opportunity should occur? That was my last question :) thanks again for all the help.

[Life360_Dave]

Those that do show symptoms like a cluster of sores, do so in the first week on an average. If your not married or have a regular partner no testing would be advised.

[Alex2014_123]

Hi Life,

Thanks for your feedback! With regards to the timeline, would you agree that after a period of 4 weeks without symptoms - I can be confident I didn't acquire HSV? Just to put my mind at ease? I live in Belgium and it seems my doctor can only perform swab tests if symptoms occur as she told me blood test are not possible and looking on the internet, I can't really find any locations where bloodtests for HSV can be done here... Or should I refrain from intercourse for 6  months? Which is a bit of a contradiction from what I've read on the forum and Dr.Handsfield previous responses... Many thanks once again!

[Life360_Dave]

Hi Alex, the doc was correct as was very low risk activity. Using a condom and her not having any genital sore, the risk you contracted herpes from a one time affair would be close to zero.