Protected Oral - No Prior HSV-1 Infection

[worrywirt]

I recently had protected oral sex with a girl whose status I am not aware of. I don't believe she had any sores on her mouth, but I didn't see inside.  

I (male) was on the receiving end.

Based on previous tests, I don't have HSV-1 (assuming the test was totally accurate, (IGG test)). Honestly, I am wigging out a good bit.  

What is the risk level of this?  

[auntiejessi]

Protected oral means the risk is really low.

The hsv1 IgG test misses a full 30% of infections, so you could have hsv1 already and not know it. 67% of people under 50 have it globally, and the vast majority will never get symptoms.

If you don't have symptoms after oral sex, I wouldn't even worry about it. We don't have transmission stats on hsv1 like we do hsv2, but since you used a condom for oral, your chances for anything are slim to none.

[worrywirt]

Thank you auntiejessi.  I'm a bit stuck in the old-school stigma mentality unfortunately, and worry that if I catch it I'll be practically unlovable (thanks conservative America).  Sounds like I should just wait it out, get tested, and in the mean time find a good therapist.

[auntiejessi]

Well, 67% = 3.7 billion people. They can't all be unlovable, right? Many of them are even conservative Americans, or conservative people from other countries.

I've had hsv2 for 20 years. Does that make me unlovable?

Why would you do yourself such a disservice by buying into stigma that  isn't based on any kind of reality?

I think counseling is a great idea, and I mean that sincerely. Living your life in fear of what others may think is a hard way to live.

Also, I see no reason why you need to test. You barely had any risk, and the test misses 30% of infections. It sounds like a way to feed your anxiety than anything beneficial to you.

Who cares what people who

[worrywirt]

I doubt it, you must have a pretty big heart to be doing all this work.  Apologies if I caused any offense -- reading back I can see how my comment might have come across as judgemental which certainly wasn't the intention.  

[auntiejessi]

Ohhh no, I take no offense. :)

And I realize that I didn't finish my statement - who cares what people who judge you think? If they judge you based on a really, really common virus, those aren't people you need in your life, especially when it's SO likely they have it anyway.

A virus doesn't make you unloveable. It takes nothing away from who you are. It's not a statement of worth.

You might not even have it, anyway. My point is that if you do, or ever get it, it's just not a big deal. :)