Q:

My boyfriend rarely gets cold sores, but recently he had one that had been blistering the day we were together. He gets them up by his nostril and that is the only place he has ever had one. Anyways, he is a very clean guy and is very careful not to spread any of the leakage from the blister anywhere. We weren't kissing at all to avoid contact with me and the virus because I do not have herpes. We decided to have sex and I figured as long as his face didn't come too close to me, there were no worries. He had been using a tissue to wipe off any leakage, so his hands probably had been exposed to the pus then, but before we did anything he had been washing his hands and used a bunch of hand sanitizer. The situation posed no threat to me at the time... and I am a very precautious person. I know from him that before he gets a blister, there is a tingling sensation in the area the sore will appear.

Anyways this was two days ago and I have developed a huge paranoia that I now have genital herpes. That somehow the virus got to me in my genital area, even though I thought there was no way. I keep thinking that I feel a tingle down there, and it has really taken a toll on my day to day life. I can't concentrate, I am constantly on edge and worried like I have never been before! I can't imagine the fact that I might have gotten genital herpes from my boyfriend that doesn't even have genital herpes. We are the only ones each other has ever been with in the past. If I am not mistaken, I don't think I can be tested for herpes for a while because the antibodies have not had time to develop. Is this correct? And if not, is there any other ways to tell if I have happened to contract herpes besides getting an actual sore? My mind won't stop thinking "what if" and I can't keep up with school. It's only been two days! Do you think you could let me know what the likelihood of me getting herpes is? I don't know what to do, every time I feel the slightest thing down near my vagina or clitoris, my heart starts beating like crazy and I literally freak out. I had to leave class today because I almost started crying in fear, my mind really gets to me, I'm a worrier. Anything to console me? Thank you so much for your time.

 

A:

Usually the worry if far far worse than the actual illness! This is one of those cases.

Even in the very remote possibility that you have been exposed to herpes in your genital region, there is an even lower possibility that you will develop an infection, and if you do, that it will ever recur.

The earliest you can be tested for herpes antibodies would be around 6 weeks, with most accurate testing after 3 months. Please understand that it is looking for herpes 1 or herpes 2 antibodies and does not tell us if the virus is in oral or genital area. The vast majority (at least 90% or more) of adults are positive for herpes 1 antibodies normally.

If the anxiety is overwhelming you, you need to see a counselor to help with some thought-stopping techniques to stop the worry. The Counseling Center can help 650-3164.

~The Doc