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Can Herpes And HIV Be Contracted Through Oral Sex?
Question: I met a 39 year old man on the internet. We decided to go out for a movie and dinner date. After we went to have a few drinks at a local bar. Several drinks later we began kissing deeply and heavily. No touching of the gentials. Fast forward to the following day. He came over to watch a movie, one thing lead to another and we began kissing deeply and ended up having only oral sex, we both gave and received. He did ejaculate in my mouth but I spit it out. Fast forward again to 5 days later my uvula exhibiting white what appears to be fluid filled blisters. It was hard to tell but the back of my throat is soar and it felt like razor blades when swallowing. This seemed to travel all the way down my esophagus. I couldn't tell if the back of my throat has ulcers on it. The following day symptoms persisted and had little relief from Tylenol and ibuprofen. I had some leftover levaquin 500mg and took 1 daily for 3 days, again no change in symptoms. It did appear to be affecting mostly my uvula at this point at least this is what I could definitively see. Redness otherwise. Low grade fever. Due to overwhelming anxiety haven't been able to eat or sleep. Literally slept broken hours from Saturday to Monday. When I do close my eyes for a minute and sleep for a hour I pop my eyes open and pray was this all a dream. NOPE...So have I contracted a form of herpes? I consider this a severe case and ended up going to the er. The MD took one look. Ordered IM rocephin and a course of doxycycline 1oomg x10 days and Acyclovir800mg every 8 hours. They did not swab my throat or take a blood test. He seemed sure It is herpes simplex type1. Please help. I feel like I'm going to fall to pieces.
Brief Answer:
Herpes and HIV testing needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am sorry that this has happened to you. The rocephin and doxycycline covered you for possible chlamydia and gonorrhea. You may have contracted gonorrhea which commonly affects the throat, but that should have been treated with the antibiotics.
The blisters are concerning for herpes. It would have been good if you had been tested at the time. If you still have blisters I suggest you see a doctor and ask for testing for HSV1 and HSV2 in both the oral and genital areas. If you got HSV1 in the genital area it will likely not be recurrent in that area. HSV 1 in the oral area can recur, usually as oral ulcers. HSV2 usually recurs in the genital area. You need to know what you have contracted.
If you no longer have blisters you can ask your doctor for a blood test to detect both HSV1 and 2.
In addition you need to get an HIV test now and again in 3 months. It is unlikely that you contracted HIV but if this person had multiple sexually transmitted infections then you need to be sure.
Please consider using condoms in the future with any new partner until you both have had extensive STI testing and are found to be negative.
Regards to you,
Dr. Robinson
Herpes and HIV testing needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am sorry that this has happened to you. The rocephin and doxycycline covered you for possible chlamydia and gonorrhea. You may have contracted gonorrhea which commonly affects the throat, but that should have been treated with the antibiotics.
The blisters are concerning for herpes. It would have been good if you had been tested at the time. If you still have blisters I suggest you see a doctor and ask for testing for HSV1 and HSV2 in both the oral and genital areas. If you got HSV1 in the genital area it will likely not be recurrent in that area. HSV 1 in the oral area can recur, usually as oral ulcers. HSV2 usually recurs in the genital area. You need to know what you have contracted.
If you no longer have blisters you can ask your doctor for a blood test to detect both HSV1 and 2.
In addition you need to get an HIV test now and again in 3 months. It is unlikely that you contracted HIV but if this person had multiple sexually transmitted infections then you need to be sure.
Please consider using condoms in the future with any new partner until you both have had extensive STI testing and are found to be negative.
Regards to you,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for you reply Dr XXXXXXX
I am feeling better symptom wise, but mentally am just at a loss. I couldn't even finish my shift(I am a nurse of all things) I have no vaginal symptoms. All of my symptoms are in my throat and inner portion of top and bottom lips(lips just started 12 hours ago vs other symptoms started last Friday) In your experience is it possible to develop genital symptoms even though we had no intercourse? Wouldn't I have them by now? He did have oral sex with me however that was unprotected. I have a appt. to see my MD tomorrow and almost feel like I can't wait and don't want to know at the same time. I was in a 7 year long committed monogamous relationship that recently ended and through the grieving process made myself vulnerable to help my feelings of sadness and rejection. Now I have made everything worse knowing I will have no quality relationships that come along with the stigma of STD. Can you tell me the probability of having HSV1 vs HSV2 based on my symptoms. Please help and ease the pain I am currently feeling!!!
I am feeling better symptom wise, but mentally am just at a loss. I couldn't even finish my shift(I am a nurse of all things) I have no vaginal symptoms. All of my symptoms are in my throat and inner portion of top and bottom lips(lips just started 12 hours ago vs other symptoms started last Friday) In your experience is it possible to develop genital symptoms even though we had no intercourse? Wouldn't I have them by now? He did have oral sex with me however that was unprotected. I have a appt. to see my MD tomorrow and almost feel like I can't wait and don't want to know at the same time. I was in a 7 year long committed monogamous relationship that recently ended and through the grieving process made myself vulnerable to help my feelings of sadness and rejection. Now I have made everything worse knowing I will have no quality relationships that come along with the stigma of STD. Can you tell me the probability of having HSV1 vs HSV2 based on my symptoms. Please help and ease the pain I am currently feeling!!!
Brief Answer:
probability of oral issue is low if no current symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Again I am so sorry that you are having to go through this.
If he had oral herpes then you could have gotten it in the vaginal areas from the oral sex but it is unlikely since you do not have any vaginal symptoms.
If what you have orally is HSV2 then the good news it is it not likely to be recurrent in the oral area. HSV1 tends to be recurrent only in the oral area and HSV2 tends to be recurrent only in the genital area. You can get an initial outbreak in the opposite area (ie HSV1 in the genitals or HSV2 orally) but they tend not to be recurrent in that situation.
It is most likely HSV2 but you need to get tested to be sure. It is possible that you will never have another outbreak.
One in 5 people in the US have HSV2 so don't beat up on yourself too much. It is really good that you did not have vaginal intercourse, I know this seems awful but that could be recurrent and trouble you the rest of your life. This is not likely to do that.
Take care of yourself, we all make mistakes. You can still have a good relationsip in the future.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
probability of oral issue is low if no current symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Again I am so sorry that you are having to go through this.
If he had oral herpes then you could have gotten it in the vaginal areas from the oral sex but it is unlikely since you do not have any vaginal symptoms.
If what you have orally is HSV2 then the good news it is it not likely to be recurrent in the oral area. HSV1 tends to be recurrent only in the oral area and HSV2 tends to be recurrent only in the genital area. You can get an initial outbreak in the opposite area (ie HSV1 in the genitals or HSV2 orally) but they tend not to be recurrent in that situation.
It is most likely HSV2 but you need to get tested to be sure. It is possible that you will never have another outbreak.
One in 5 people in the US have HSV2 so don't beat up on yourself too much. It is really good that you did not have vaginal intercourse, I know this seems awful but that could be recurrent and trouble you the rest of your life. This is not likely to do that.
Take care of yourself, we all make mistakes. You can still have a good relationsip in the future.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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