Itchy Everywhere; Did I Catch Something?

[KaraBulut]

Is it true that if someone has no visible symptoms or outbreaks of herpes or if the person shows no signs of any sores, I could simply catch the herpes virus by kissing or touching him/her? Could I get those types of severe sores (in the picture posted above) this way? I'm sure there's a lot of people who randomly kiss or french kiss other people and don't show any outbreaks of herpes sores like in the picture above.

How am I supposed to know if someone is infected with herpes and protect myself if I can get infected by simply touching the person or french kissing? The whole thing is so confusing.

The sores shown in the lips picture is HSV-1.

It's a common misconception adults "catch" HSV-1. By the time that most people reach adulthood, the majority of people will have been exposed to HSV-1. It is usually contracted in childhood from other family members or close acquaintances like friends or schoolmates. These outbreaks of cold sores are re-activations of the virus acquired in childhood and is usually associated with events that stress the immune system (e.g. viral infections like the flu, fevers, stress, immunosuppressive drugs, exposure to sunlight).

Herpes simplex viruses are among the most ubiquitous of human infections. The frequency of HSV infection has been measured by testing various populations for the presence of antibody, as both virus and the immune response are thought to persist after infection for the life of the host. Worldwide, ∼90% of people have one or both viruses. HSV-1 is the more prevalent virus, with 65% of persons in the United States having antibodies to HSV-1. The epidemiology in Europe is similar, with at least half of the population seropositive for HSV-1. In the developing world, HSV-1 is almost universal, and usually acquired from intimate contact with family in early childhood. After childhood, the HSV-1 prevalence rates increase minimally with age.

Source

 

[palemale]

Cold sores are also herpes. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Type one being cold sores, type two being the one that everyone freaks out about (genital). I haven't had either one.

There are multiple types of herpes. For example, herpes zoster is the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles. I was once misdiagnosed with genital herpes, and it turned out to be herpes zoster, i.e. shingles. The doctor who took the initial sample from the blister did not have it tested for a herpes specific virus. In other words, it just came back positive for herpes. I got blood tested twice for herpes 1 and 2, right after the first test came back positive, and three months later. Both blood tests came back negative for types 1 and 2 (which is unusual since, at my age, something like 90% of people have herpes 1). So, it you do get tested, make sure the doctor orders tests for the specific type of herpes.

 

[sixthson]

Ghat, I think you are not the type for casual sex with strangers. Despite what so many say, it is not for everyone. Never assume someone is "clean" just because they say they are. Perhaps spend your time forming relationships where you actually get to know and trust the other person before entering into sexual intimacy.
You started this thread a couple of months ago and you are still not well enough educated about sexual health to not agonize over your sexual behavior. Good luck.

 

[jmccorm4]

Wondering if you have an STD and not getting tested first is counter productive. It's been my experience that the best way to find the source of an issue is to rule everything else out.

 

[Maestoso]

I had similar experiences, did a kiss and mutual dick rubbing with a foreigner and came back feeling uncomfortable for a few months. Had a few episodes of itchy pimples growing around my mouth and chin. doctor said it was body resistance being low. did a full STD test and nothing. Hooked up with another foreigner who had a fishy smelling dick and now my dick smells fishy after a day's work I think it is my urine.

 

[kallipolis]

Mindful that thoughts trigger all that ones fears imagine.

 

[Ghat1969]

Ghat, I think you are not the type for casual sex with strangers. Despite what so many say, it is not for everyone. Never assume someone is "clean" just because they say they are. Perhaps spend your time forming relationships where you actually get to know and trust the other person before entering into sexual intimacy.
You started this thread a couple of months ago and you are still not well enough educated about sexual health to not agonize over your sexual behavior. Good luck.

I've read a lot about stds since I'm someone who gets paranoid over these things. But I never fully understood exactly how you can catch herpes. Everyone says something different. Right, never assume someone is clean, but besides wearing a condom and looking for obvious signs, is there anything else you can do?

Anyway, I started this thread months ago. It was all in my head. I haven't had physical symptoms.