Hello, So I Recently Started Seeing This Boy That I

Posted on Fri, 7 Feb 2020

Question: hello, so i recently started seeing this boy that i like, we had unprotected sex two weeks ago as we were both sure we were clean. he got a call a week ago saying that the girl he had slept with a few days before me showed symptoms of genital herpes. he hasnt shown any physical signs and neither have i. He got his blood work done and it came back negative, but the doctor said that doesnt say much and that he could still have it. im not sure how i should be tested or what types of tests can give him and I a definate answer on wether we have it or not..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding genital herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.

Genital herpes can be clinically silent. So, one can't really be sure whether one has it or not, if there was a recent risk exposure and the patient hasn't shown any signs or symptoms typical of genital herpes. The blood test need to be done at least after a few weeks i.e 6-8 weeks to be sure and repeat test at 12 weeks to be absolutely sure.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (32 minutes later)

Okay so basically after 12 weeks if he doesn’t show symptoms and his blood tests still come back negative, he does not have it?

How long does it usually take to show symptoms?

For me (female) do I take a blood test or will a pap show anything?

Since him and I slept together 4 days after he has slept with the infected girl and he hasn’t shown physical symptoms before then, are the chances of me getting herpes less probable?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding HSV

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Signs and symptoms may take a few weeks or even months to first show (silent infection) or they may happen as soon as 2-5 days of infection. Most patients don't even realize who they got the infection from, if they have had different sexual partners in the past. A negative blood test for HSV antibodies at 12 weeks reliably rules out the possibility of infection in cases with doubt. Pap is not a test for herpes. It is a test for HPV induced cervical changes. If he had herpes, there is 10 percent risk of you getting it (male to female transmission risk is higher than vice versa).
Take care.

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng