Herpes Transmission Risk HSV2

[massiveworrygirl]

Hello,
I'm incredibly scared about the risks of Genital Herpes transmission from an infected male to a none infected female.
I have had protected vaginal sex with a man that has been diagnosed with HSV2.
We had sex a total of 5 times in a duration of 3 weeks, each time with a condom and he told me he was taking suppressive medication however I don't know the brand and I don't think he was taking it daily but he told me he wouldn't ever have sex if he was having an outbreak.

I haven't had any lesions or blisters appear, I have however felt a tingling and irritated sensation on my genitals the past 3 weeks but no other symptoms. I have had a sore throat however I'm not sure if that's just seasonal.

Hoping someone can please help me and also is there a chance that a female could not get infected if protected sex was taking place? I'm aware there is always a risk.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

the risk to you of getting HSV 2 if he uses a condom every time for intercourse AND takes daily suppressive therapy (twice a day if 400 MG acyclovir and once a day if 500 MG valacyclovir) is extremely low indeed.  I would say less than 2% in a year having sex twice a week.  But the medicine needs to be taken every day on the schedule that I described in the dose I listed.  You have a right to expect him to take medicine every day for greatest protection and I would insist if I were you.  Acyclovir can cost as little as $16 dollars per month and reduce the risk of infection by 50%.  

However, having said that, if you are going to be constantly worried about this over the long run, and he knows it, this may not be the greatest fit for you.  It may make him feel badly about himself, which I'm sure you don't want.  If you can reach a level of comfort, he can take medicine with great regularity, he uses condoms every time, perhaps this can work out for the two of you.

Does that help?

Terri

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[TonyRyan]

Hi Terri im not sure by posting this question here it will get to you and I am sorry if it s in the wrong forum but im worried like crazy at the moment .. Anyway if you could give me any ideas I would eternally grateful .. I stupidly and drunkenly received oral from a sex worker 2 months ago which lasted all of 1minute as i couldnt get a erection , it was unprotected .. last week i started having an urge to urinate alot but minimal flow and a very slight sensation in the penis then I was getting stabbing pains around bladder area very mild .. now a week later the urge to urinate has decreased but still very slight sensation few times a day and also feeling bloated and back pain .. I went to Doctor and she tested urine and said I had no Kidney infection and I have to drop back a morning sample of urine . Do you think I have a std ? I have no lessions or anything untoward visabley on genitals . I assumed i had uti as i had sex with girlfriend just before symptoms started and didnt shower straight away . I have been worried to the pit of my stomach all week and I know I deserve this but really dont want to hurt girlfriend I have learned my lesson after this experience .Many Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You're welcome.

Terri

[massiveworrygirl]

Thank-you Terri for all your help, I probably sound crazy but my severe anxiety is getting the best of me. I will let you know in a few weeks time what my results are. Many thanks again.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Anxious about this, really??  LOL.  I would say your accuracy is slightly better than the two week result.

This is my final post on this thread.  If you want to post later results, I would be happy to try to help you sort them out.

Terri

[massiveworrygirl]

Mine was 17 days exact after exposure plus I have HSV1 already???

I'm so sorry Terri that's my last question :( I'm just extremely anxious at the moment..

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

By three weeks from exposure, 50% of people who are going to test positive will do so.

Terri

[massiveworrygirl]

Sorry Terri! I'm aware you have answered my question but I stupidly didn't count the weeks right.

My negative results came back from 3 weeks after last exposure, not 4 like I assumed it was.

Is there much of a difference in a week with the antibodies showing up negative like they have?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think so, yes.

Terri

[massiveworrygirl]

Sincere thanks Terri!
And I'm guessing, I would have gotten some sort of lesion by now?
Anyway your help has calmed me down dramatically as I'm a very anxious person in general.

Your knowledge is sincerely appreciated :)

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

No, four weeks is not adequate to know that this is a true negative.  But in assessing how necessary it is to get retested one must also consider the initial risk.  Since your partner was on suppression AND used condoms, I still think your risk is really low, though you are correct, not zero.  If testing again at 3 months reassures you, then that will be helpful.  My guess is that you will stay negative.

Terri

[massiveworrygirl]

That's okay thanks Terri, but is the Igg test reliable to see newly formed hsv2 antibodies after 4 weeks of exposure?
And because I'm positive for hsv1, would that cause a huge delay in the hsv2 antibodies to show up on a Igg test?

I'm going to get tested in 3 months time, but I'm terrified if my results will change.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Sorry, I've been out of touch for a week in the Canadian boundary waters.  Good news that you tested negative for HSV 2 at this point.  Your initial risk was very low and this certainly helps to believe that you are not infected.  If you want to get tested again to reassure yourself you can certainly do that, but I think the news at this point is very good indeed.

Terri

[massiveworrygirl]

Hi Terri,
Sorry for the 3 last questions in a row, I just wanted to confirm with you before you see my last 2 posts, my recent visit with my doctor yesterday about my herpes results.

My doctor gave me the IgG herpes test at 4.5 weeks after last exposure.
I actually saw the results and it said HSV1 positive and HSV2 negative.
There was no number count next to my results. Is that normal?
My doctor told me I need to look at the facts, that precautions were taken place and I had no real herpes related symptoms.
The irritated/rash feeling I had ended up being a vaginal bacteria infection possibly due to the use of the condoms, and being sexually active again after quite awhile. I'm now using hydrozole for that.

So can you please confirm when you have a chance please...
1. Is the Igg test reliable to see newly formed hsv2 antibodies after 4 weeks of exposure?
2. Because I've been positive for hsv1 since a child, would that cause a huge delay in the hsv2 antibodies to show up on a Igg test after 4 weeks past exposure?
3. Do you believe from what I've told you, I'm still at risk?
4. I'm getting tested again in 3 months time, is there a chance my negative hsv2 result will turn into a positive one?

Thank-you so much, sincerely appreciate your wisdom!!!

[mr826]

what are the chances of getting HSV2 when the person who has is doesnt know, but we used a condom during sex?

[massiveworrygirl]

Hi Terri,
Hoping you can please help me with my results.
I've been tested positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2 at 4.5 weeks after last exposure. Is there a possibility my HSV2 results will change?
I'm feeling a tingly discomfort in my genital area and thighs but I'm not sure if its my mind playing games with me as I don't have any lesions or blisters and its been going on for about 2 weeks now.
Thanks so much.

[massiveworrygirl]

Hi Terri!
Thank-you so much for your reply!!!

We broke up because he wanted a casual relationship and I wanted a serious one so that's why I'm incredibly worried as I don't want to catch hsv2 now.

He didn't tell me what medication he was on, all he said was that it was suppressive and he started taking it before we had sex.

I'm just very scared as I'm very itchy in my genital area and not sure why as there's no obvious lesions or discharge so I ruled out a yeast infection.

I had a full STD test and Herpes Blood test, and I'm at nearly 5 weeks since last exposure with him. I called my Doctor's clinic this morning (Australian-time) and they said all my results came back as "No Action", I have an appointment next week but the receptionist said I don't have genital herpes.

Do you recommend I get tested again in 7 weeks time just to be safe so I can put this behind me? :(

I'm just terrified as I've read so many articles and posts from people about how contagious herpes is and you can catch it so very easily and not even know you have it.