For starters, indeed mutual masturbation is safe sex. You are not at risk for STD acquisition from such and exposure.
Regarding the Herpes Select, here are the data
• Median days from symptom onset to seroconversion
– HSV-1: 25 days
– HSV-2, no prior HSV-1 21 days
– HSV-2, prior HSV-1 23 days
• % seroconverting by 6wks, 3mos, 6mos
– HSV-2, no prior HSV-1 77%, 93%, 93%
– HSV-2, prior HSV-1 59%, 73%, 83%
Hope this helps. EWH
Thank you for the data. I was wondering if you had the same statistics for HSV-1? Is there a website that has this data?
I'm less clear regarding data for HSV-1. Others may have some information. EWH
Thank you for posting the sero-conversion rates for the Herpes Select test. There is a real lack of information on various parameters of the test including how to interpret result indices. The manufacturers website was not particularly helpful. Is there a particular paper you could recommend or is the data on the tests "label"?
Alternatively, putting together a FAQ on the various tests and posting it as sticky thread might prove invaluable to the users of the board and lighten the load a bit on the physicians working here.
Looking again at your table, I see that you use the phrase:
"Median days from symptom onset to seroconversion".
Does HSV 2 sero conversion only occur if someone exhibits symptoms? Does the test not measure from the time of exposure/infection? What if someone has been asymptomatic their whole life but wants to be tested for HSV 2? Is the Herpes Select still the recommended test?
Thanks again.
No, seroconversion can occur without symptoms however, without symptoms to anchor the time measured, assessing the time intervals is tough. We assume that they are similar to those for persons who have lesions.
If asymptomatic, the HerpeSelect or a similar type-specific test would still be the test of choice. EWH