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Can Genital Herpes Be Contracted Through Protected Sexual Intercourse?
Question: Is it possible to contract genital herpes from someone if they weren't having an outbreak and I had on a condom? It only lasted about 15 seconds as well. I have some itching in my pubic area, but it's been going on for over five weeks...I know that's longer than an outbreak usually lasts. I think it is most likely due to my trimmed pubic hair, and acts up more when I'm active and sweating. One spot started feeling better, then I shaved again and it got worse. It just started around the time of the oral sex, so that's why I am concerned. No rash or blisters have shown up.
Brief Answer:
Yes it is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Welcome to HealthcareMagic,
I have gone through your query and understood it well.
Although Herpes is most easily passed through inoculation from active lesions. The virus may also spread when there are no symptoms, and from sites that are inactive.
Condoms are not a guarantee against transmission of the virus. Susceptible are any areas which are abraded, warm and moist such as the upper thighs, underarms, hairline, lower back, perineum, scrotum, and buttocks. These areas are not covered with condom and virus can be transmitted.
The symptom of herpes starts after 4 days (average) of virus transmission, one or more vesicle appear and breaks to leave painful ulcer.
Nucleic acid amplification test and IgM and IgG level HSV I & II (ELISA) can be done as diagnostic test.
Itching in pubic area may be due to allergic contact dermatitis or tinea cruris.
I would like to examine the clinical image before making any diagnosis.
There is a feature to upload the image by yourself on the right side of this query page. You may utilize that. Alternatively, you can mail it to YYYY@YYYY with subject line as "ATTN: Dr. Shahid Hassan". I will review the photograph and get back to you.
Hope this will help you.
Thanks.
Yes it is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Welcome to HealthcareMagic,
I have gone through your query and understood it well.
Although Herpes is most easily passed through inoculation from active lesions. The virus may also spread when there are no symptoms, and from sites that are inactive.
Condoms are not a guarantee against transmission of the virus. Susceptible are any areas which are abraded, warm and moist such as the upper thighs, underarms, hairline, lower back, perineum, scrotum, and buttocks. These areas are not covered with condom and virus can be transmitted.
The symptom of herpes starts after 4 days (average) of virus transmission, one or more vesicle appear and breaks to leave painful ulcer.
Nucleic acid amplification test and IgM and IgG level HSV I & II (ELISA) can be done as diagnostic test.
Itching in pubic area may be due to allergic contact dermatitis or tinea cruris.
I would like to examine the clinical image before making any diagnosis.
There is a feature to upload the image by yourself on the right side of this query page. You may utilize that. Alternatively, you can mail it to YYYY@YYYY with subject line as "ATTN: Dr. Shahid Hassan". I will review the photograph and get back to you.
Hope this will help you.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your response.
I would upload a picture, but there is really nothing to see. I have never had any blisters. The itching seemed to start the next day, but maybe that was just because I was thinking about it more. I had also trimmed my pubic hair area the week before and was doing much more walking than normal. I had also used a new personal lubricant that perhaps I had a reaction to. Just trying to clue you in on my thought process.
But again, I haven't had any vesicles, ulcer's, etc.
The only discomfort, outside of the itching in my upper pubic area, is where my thigh meets my scrotum, but I think it feels more like it's from trimmed hair digging into my skin.
I guess the fact that I noticed it within 24 hours, and now similar symptoms five week later (brought on more by pubic trimming) probably would rule away from a herpes outbreak, am I correct? Don't they subside after 2-3 weeks?
Thank you!
I would upload a picture, but there is really nothing to see. I have never had any blisters. The itching seemed to start the next day, but maybe that was just because I was thinking about it more. I had also trimmed my pubic hair area the week before and was doing much more walking than normal. I had also used a new personal lubricant that perhaps I had a reaction to. Just trying to clue you in on my thought process.
But again, I haven't had any vesicles, ulcer's, etc.
The only discomfort, outside of the itching in my upper pubic area, is where my thigh meets my scrotum, but I think it feels more like it's from trimmed hair digging into my skin.
I guess the fact that I noticed it within 24 hours, and now similar symptoms five week later (brought on more by pubic trimming) probably would rule away from a herpes outbreak, am I correct? Don't they subside after 2-3 weeks?
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome again,
I have given only the possibilities.
In your case maximum chances that you have not acquired HSV infection, But confirmation or rule out can only be done on the basis of clinical examination+Lab tests.
It may be allergic contact dermatitis due to lubricant or even condom.
It may be trimmed hair, it also causes irritation sometimes.
Upper pubic area and where my thigh meets my scrotum is also a common site for fungal infection.
Any lesion occurring within 24 hrs of contact itself rule outs the possibilities of herpes.
Hope this will help you.
Thanks.
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome again,
I have given only the possibilities.
In your case maximum chances that you have not acquired HSV infection, But confirmation or rule out can only be done on the basis of clinical examination+Lab tests.
It may be allergic contact dermatitis due to lubricant or even condom.
It may be trimmed hair, it also causes irritation sometimes.
Upper pubic area and where my thigh meets my scrotum is also a common site for fungal infection.
Any lesion occurring within 24 hrs of contact itself rule outs the possibilities of herpes.
Hope this will help you.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you Doctor.
So you said it's typically four days for hsv to show up?
I've enclosed two photos for you to review. One is the upper pubic area. This is where the itching first started (right in the center) and really didn't look any different than this. It's actually MORE red now b/c of irritation from trimmed hair and clothing. The itching was here on and off the past five weeks after the hair had grown back. On Saturday night I was doing some strenuous activity and the itching started again, so I tried shaving it to see if it helped. It seemed to. (The one slightly-dark spot was an in-grown hair).
After shaving, the area between my groin/scrotum started to become irritated and sore again, but it started immediately the day after I trimmed the hair, and it seems to be related. The irritation is rather deep, but when I rub the hair against my skin that triggers it, so I'm pretty sure the stubble is the cause. And yes, I do have some tinea cruris on my thighs, which actually doesn't itch.
Thanks again. I really appreciate the input.
So you said it's typically four days for hsv to show up?
I've enclosed two photos for you to review. One is the upper pubic area. This is where the itching first started (right in the center) and really didn't look any different than this. It's actually MORE red now b/c of irritation from trimmed hair and clothing. The itching was here on and off the past five weeks after the hair had grown back. On Saturday night I was doing some strenuous activity and the itching started again, so I tried shaving it to see if it helped. It seemed to. (The one slightly-dark spot was an in-grown hair).
After shaving, the area between my groin/scrotum started to become irritated and sore again, but it started immediately the day after I trimmed the hair, and it seems to be related. The irritation is rather deep, but when I rub the hair against my skin that triggers it, so I'm pretty sure the stubble is the cause. And yes, I do have some tinea cruris on my thighs, which actually doesn't itch.
Thanks again. I really appreciate the input.
Brief Answer:
4 days is average
Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome again,
Incubation period of herpes genitalis is 4 days (Range 2-12 days), not less than that.
Thanks for your clinical picture.
the clinical picture is in favour of Irritant contact dermatitis.
It can occur due to to repeated rubbing of trimmed hair or clothes.
Avoid trimming for few days. Change your undergarments (elastic may aggravates the condition).
Topical calamine lotion will help. It should be applied 2-3 times a day. Besides that levocetirizine 5 mg daily will reduce the itching. You can ask your local doctor for a prescription.
I usually prescribe mid potent topical steroid for faster relief to my patients.
Hope this will help you.
Thanks
4 days is average
Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome again,
Incubation period of herpes genitalis is 4 days (Range 2-12 days), not less than that.
Thanks for your clinical picture.
the clinical picture is in favour of Irritant contact dermatitis.
It can occur due to to repeated rubbing of trimmed hair or clothes.
Avoid trimming for few days. Change your undergarments (elastic may aggravates the condition).
Topical calamine lotion will help. It should be applied 2-3 times a day. Besides that levocetirizine 5 mg daily will reduce the itching. You can ask your local doctor for a prescription.
I usually prescribe mid potent topical steroid for faster relief to my patients.
Hope this will help you.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you. And you would agree that five weeks is much longer than a typical hsv breakout, correct?
Is it safe to say that the irritation in the groin/scrotum area could be felt a little deeper b/c that area is so sensitive? Again, if I rub the hairs into the skin there, it triggers the deeper irritation.
Thank you!
Is it safe to say that the irritation in the groin/scrotum area could be felt a little deeper b/c that area is so sensitive? Again, if I rub the hairs into the skin there, it triggers the deeper irritation.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
yes, see below
Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome back,
The first episode of genital herpes(whose duration is longer than the recurrent one), the sores and blisters may last from about 10 days. Maximum duration noted is 20 days in few.
Yes groin and scrotum are sensitive areas as they are under constant rubbing, covered with clothes throughout the day and remains moist and humid sometimes becomes macerated .That is why chances of infection and irritation is more there.
Hope this will clears your facts.
If you have any other query go ahead. In case you have no more questions, please close this discussion and review.
Thanks
yes, see below
Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome back,
The first episode of genital herpes(whose duration is longer than the recurrent one), the sores and blisters may last from about 10 days. Maximum duration noted is 20 days in few.
Yes groin and scrotum are sensitive areas as they are under constant rubbing, covered with clothes throughout the day and remains moist and humid sometimes becomes macerated .That is why chances of infection and irritation is more there.
Hope this will clears your facts.
If you have any other query go ahead. In case you have no more questions, please close this discussion and review.
Thanks
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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