Dr. N. Ashok Viswanath
Infectious Diseases
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
Answered by
Medically reviewed by
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I have had HSV type one on my genitals for more than 10 years.
What is the chance of spreading it with no protection?
It is been years since I have had an outbreak.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your query.
The chances are less, but it will not always happen.
Most of the time, the spread occurs when the partner is having an active episode of infection with symptoms like blisters. The thing with HSV is that few people can have an asymptomatic infection and spread the illness to others.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
It is because I had unprotected sex with a partner and now I am scared. I used protection but it slipped and we continued to have sex. It has been more than 10 hours and does not know what are the chances of passing this infection.
I meant to say that I have been with more than 10 years with HSV type 1 genital. Do not know the chances for this to be passed on. I think in 10 years I had 1 outbreak about six years ago.
In how much time do the symptoms develop if she gets infected?
For how much time we should wait to see if she is free and clear from infection?
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The latency period or incubation period varies with each individual. The incubation period is 2 to 12 days. Most individuals will develop symptoms from day five or six onwards usually. But I do not think, you would have transmitted the illness. The chance that you might be having an asymptomatic infection is very very low. Since you had an outbreak six years back, you will have some antibodies which will provide you with good immunity against another episode of infection even asymptomatic infection.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I have read about HSV type 1 and 2 and even the doctor that diagnosed me said he had type 2 and he has not spread it to his wife. But I have read that over time the shedding is lower and chances get lower. I am scared because she knows I have it but obviously, she does not want to have it. So we should wait 12 days but that will be devastating. Hopefully, I was not shedding. I just think the shedding without symptoms or outbreak. I do not remember the last time I saw a blister or outbreak. It was many years ago and it gives me a scare.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
I do not think there could be any infection transmission. Since you got an acute infection in the past, your antibody will be intact protecting against further infection for at least a few decades. So do not worry.
I hope this helps.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I do not mean infection for me. I mean infecting the other person. I am scared I could have infected her because she is clean and I am the one that has it.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
You should have a symptomatic infection or asymptomatic infection in order to spread an infection. So I do not think that you are having any infection at this point in time.
I hope this helps.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I do not have any symptoms at all, I have not seen a blister for over years. Also, my wife has been without symptoms for 3 days. I am just hoping she stays like this for 8 to 10 days more. Am I right?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, you are right.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
As for now, she has no symptoms. However, I am just crazy and I always think the worst, therefore, very nervous and anxious. Now I feel like I could have something. I do not feel burning when urinating, probably some discomfort and when I think about it I feel like peeing. When I am distracted I do not think about it. But now I feel as if there was something wrong and therefore I sometimes get the urge to pee. I am not sure if it is all in my head.
Imagine that I am so anxious that I read about DoxyPep in some kind of study that people took doxycycline one dose of 200 mg after having sex. Well, I took that 200 mg 24hrs later. The research said 24 to 72 hours and prevented 80 % of chlamydia and syphilis but gonorrhea less percentage. I do not know if I am crazy or not but not sure what to do.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
There is no need for any prophylaxis for now. Just relax and stay calm. Have a nice day.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Well, I did the DoxyPep 24 hrs after sex without protection. Yes, I know I am a very anxious person, maybe it is all in my head but I feel and see below and do not see anything. Sometimes if I want to pee, all I think is that I have something. Imagine that I was so scared that I took the 200 mg doxy after sex.
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Not all the pathogens involved in sexually transmitted diseases do respond to Doxycycline. Only a few bacteria respond to it and other few bacterias, viruses, fungi, and parasites which are transmitted by sexual route do not respond to Doxycycline. Unnecessary use of antibiotics will also lead to the development of resistance.
Hope this helps.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Please tell me what to do as I am too worried now.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
We are concerned mainly with infections of viral origin like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. These viral pathogens usually do not respond to Doxycycline.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I am super scared now. I do not have any pain while urinating or a burning sensation. Sometimes I even forget about it but sometimes feels like I have to pee. I am not sure if it is because I am super scared or anxious. Please advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Just be relaxed for now. No need to do anything.
We need to worry if unprotected sexual intercourse was made with a person who is a commercial sex worker or prostitute. Just stay calm now.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I only feel some urge to pee sometimes but it does not hurt. Any advice? I do not know if I am overreacting. I had the intercourse 6 days ago.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The urge to pee usually does not happen due to infection. In case of sexually transmitted infections, you will have pus discharge from the penis. Since it is a pathogen, you will also have a fever.
Hope this helps.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
So I have nothing else then? What do you suggest? Chlamydia and other STDs do not have pus? What about other STDs?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Bacterial, fungal, and parasitic etiologies usually produce lesions with pus. Virus-like HSV (herpes simplex virus) produces blisters. So do not worry. You are fine. Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Hope you are doing well.
It has been eight days since the intercourse, but no burning while peeing, and yes I get the urge sometimes, but my penis feels tender with mild discomfort. I did masturbate two days ago. Any suggestion?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Just stay calm. Just note if you see any discharge from the penis. Also, try not to masturbate and have sex for a few days. Do notify me if there is any pus discharge from the penis or if you are developing any fever.
Hope this helps.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I have no fever, no discharge, just some discomfort maybe because of my mind? Do not really know. The day of intercourse was the last day of her period as well.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
No need to worry about infections, even if it was the last day of her period. Most of the time, it could be due to our minds.
I hope this helps.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I do not have any discharge, but some mild discomfort like soreness. I was sleeping and the penis tip started to burn a little bit but then disappeared. I also had a small urge to pee. Although when I sleep, I like to forget and maybe pee just once during the night.
I am stressed about having something and infecting others. I took two Advil but do not know what more.
I woke up normally and felt the discomfort but forgot. No burning sensation while urinating and have not felt the urge so much.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Do not worry. You are fine. Try to focus on some other things like watching movies, having a good walk, going for a small trip, or something that might change your mind. Take care of your nutrition. Have two or three cups of green tea a day. Keep yourself calm, and try to listen to good music. Try to do yoga and meditation if possible. Drink a lot of water and juice like cranberry juice, and keep yourself hydrated. If needed, you can take over-the-counter available multivitamins and vitamin C. Take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
It has been around two weeks since the exposure and have not had any symptoms. Although four days back I got a stomach virus with diarrhea. My nephews that live with me had a virus, and they were vomiting the day before, and I was helping clean vomit and taking care of them.
Today I had intercourse. Do you think there's a chance I could spread something? Intercourse was without protection.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
When did diarrhea start? Was it watery or mucoid? What food did you take? Have you taken any outside food? Any abdominal pain? Also, I do not understand, what could you possibly spread during intercourse.
Thanks and take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Five days back, one of my nephews started vomiting, and the next day another nephew started to vomit and had diarrhea. The following day I too had watery diarrhea and a body ache. It was the same virus that kids get at school. There were a ton of kids who got affected by this but it was not food related. I am fine now.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
It could be food poisoning or a gastrointestinal infection which is self-limiting. Do not worry.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I was just scared about the sexual exposure that I had 15 days before. I suspected I could have acquired something.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Do not worry and do not get scared. Stay calm.
Thanks and take care.
Was this conversation helpful?
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Infectious Diseases
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy
