Testing Time period-sexual assault

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hello,

18 weeks ago I was sexually assaulted by someone and he did not use a condom the whole time. Ever since that experience I've had major anxiety over getting certain STIs, specifically herpes. I've been tested for everything except for herpes as my doctor said they only swab when there are sores. It's gotten to a point where I can't think about anything else but having this. I'm seeing her again Friday. Should I just demand an IGG test? Is 18 weeks enough time to get an accurate test result?

Additionally, 4 weeks ago I had protected vaginal intercourse, and did not let him rub against me unless I had underwear on. No oral was performed on me. A few days after I got a sore throat, chills, low grade fever, and headache.all of those symptoms resolved within a few days. I monitored myself and no sores, blisters, cuts, ulcers appear for the past 4 weeks. I would like to know if this act put me at risk for getting herpes and if it is even worth getting a blood test as my last sexual encounter was 4 weeks ago.

I appreciate everyone's responses!

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    uhhh sex doesn't trigger an outbreak, although no one really knows what exactly triggers outbreaks.

    If you had herpes, recieving oral sex would not make you outbreak, its the other way around - if he had herpes and gave oral sex, you would get an outbreak (which is my experience)

    your first outbreak/flu syptoms would have been within the first few weeks of the assualt, mine happened 4 days later, and had me contantly sleeping for about 60 hours (2 and a half days) give or take 3 hour periods of waking up to pee every now and then

    chances are, if you had the flu symptoms, you would have had the entire outbreak, and that means unbearably painful ulcers developing specifically in your vaginal region, making you unable to walk, sit, etc without the assistance of drugs

    im no doctor but personally, i believe you absolutely do not have herpes

    you were just sick, stuff happens.

    im so sorry to hear you were sexually assualted, i hope youre recovering/recoved okay, it may have happened but dont let it define you or stop you from living your life to the full. 

     

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your kind words and reply! I am currently in therapy working out my issues from the past couple of months, and getting a negative from this test I think will really allow me to fully heal.

      Would you mind telling me your story/timeline? Did your lesions appear along with your flu like symptoms? I wouldn't have been so concerned about my encounter 4 weeks ago if I didn't get sick a few days after the event.

  • Posted

    You're good to test for herpes IgG antibodies now, as you are well over 12 weeks, even over 16 weeks. Make sure the test is type-specific. Don't be alarmed in case it comes back positive for HSV1, as many people unknowingly carry it orally without any symptoms. Your encounter 4 weeks ago sounds pretty low risk, so you don't have to wait 12+ weeks after that, unless you want to. Flu-like symptoms are probably coincidental.

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I really admire how adamant you are about giving amazing/factual advice to others. Are doctors required to give tests when patients ask for them? The last time I brought up my concerns for having it she kinda brushed it off and said I would know by now.

      I have been having on/off irritation in my vaginal area for the past month, and my doctor said it looked like a fungal issue so I did Monistat-7 and that seemed to work but the day after I was done with treatment, the stinging feeling started up again. However, no sores or anything of that nature are visible. It's just been an on and off irritation for the past couple weeks.

    • Posted

      My pleasure, and thanks for the kind words. 😃

      It really depends on your doctor/clinic. If private, they should do whichever test you request, since you're paying. If public, you might have to convince them in less clear-cut cases, say you're really worried about XYZ, so could they please test for it, etc. They may or they may not.

      Vaginal irritation could be caused by any number of things, so I wouldn't assume herpes, especially without lesions. You can ask for a high vaginal swab, if one wasn't done already. That tests for yeast, BV, trich and other common vaginal bacterial/fungal infections.

      P.S. Sorry what happened to you, by the way.

    • Posted

      Yeah it's private so I guess I just have to stick to my guns and say what I want done haha

      Thanks, yeah it really has affected me but I think once I get the tests done I'll be able to heal and address the emotional issues it's brought on. This forum has really educated me on the virus, so I did gain something from all of this smile

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