Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Questions about HSV-2 Transmission and Risk

Hello all Health Professionals,

First of all I would like to thank you so much for reading my post as your advice and time are very important to me.  I am a 23 year old white, heterosexual male who has become sexually active about 9 months ago with a white, bisexual(hetero with me) 29 year old female in which we both live in Florida, U.S.A..  I was in what I thought to have been in a monogomous relationship for a few months but this person proved to be unfaithful which is what kind of freaked me out.  The only sex acts we did were unprotected oral on me and unpro. oral on her several times no more than 18 times or so and vaginal intercourse which was condom protected everytime and no lesions were present or signs of HSV-2 ever that I was aware of or saw.  However one of the times we had vaginal sex the condom slipped off me and when I withdrew, was stuck in her vagina.  Assuming worse case, I was inside her for no longer than a minute no less than 20-30 seconds. I constantly would make sure the condom was on me during sex everytime so it had to be brief.  This is the main exposure I'm concerned of.

With that said here are some questions I have:

1.  I have always been cautious of my body and scared since the event and have not seen or experianced any lesions or HSV-2 symptoms neither had I seen any on her or had she told me she had it.  With that said do you warrant any testing?

2.  I had read a few posts about asymptomatic HSV-2 or shedding and it kind of scared me.  I was just wondering what would be the odds that I could be an asymptomatic shedder?  

3.  I aim to live a sexually safe lifestyle and commit to using condoms everytime.  With the new knowledge I am learning about HSV-2 its kind of scary to know that even if i am protected it can still spread.  In the future as long as I use condoms evertime and look out for outbreaks before sex is it ok to have sex without having a constant fear of getting infected?  

Thank You So Much!
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
55646 tn?1263660809
Yes, I'm saying that the risk is really low and testing would be more about peace of mind.  But that's worth a lot too!  

Terri
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
:) Thanks so much Terri,  I know that this thread is over now and I don't mean to keep you but I just wanted to confirm, are you saying?:

You warrenting any testing is more for peace of mind rather than a substantial risk that I should be worried about?

Thats all, if you don't answer I understand Thanks Again!
Helpful - 0
55646 tn?1263660809
I think doing herpes antibody testing would help to set your mind at rest.  Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip?  If yes, then I would expect your HSV 1 antibody test ot be positive.  

Either you or your partner could have HSV 1 or 2 infection and not know it.  That is quite common.  

The test that you want is an IgG antibody test for HSV 1 and HSV 2.  Do not get an IgM antibody test.  You can order these tests online if you wish, or approach your regular health care provider to order this test.

I'm so sorry this post wasn't answered sooner!  I did post the answer, but it disappeared in the great on line abyss!  

Terri
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum

Popular Resources
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.