First Cold Sore. Oral?

[Anonymous12345]

Hello,

Recently, I’ve gotten over my first cold sore under my chin and around my nose (HSV-1).

My partner and I believe that he has given the virus to me; he’s expressed that he gets cold sores, but they don’t last long and don’t itch or irritate him. Now, we are both a little skeptical as to whether or not he truly gets cold sores.

My most important question is about giving him oral sex. We are both currently a bit bummed, thinking that I can no longer perform unprotected oral sex on him without some risk. What is the percentage/probability that he could get HSV 1 on his genitals when I do not have a cold sore? I have read about viral shedding also.

However, if he does also have HSV-1, does that mean his body already has built an immunity to the virus and would not be able to get reinfected in a different location of his body?

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

If he already has HSV 1 orally, then you giving him oral sex would be extremely unlikely to give him oral sex since he already has antibody and an immune response to HSV 1 of his own. Yes, you are exactly right about that. If I was in your situation, I wouldn’t worry at all about this.

Were you swab tested to know that you symptoms were caused by HSV 1?

Terri

[Anonymous12345]

No, blood test. My second one, which again showed negative for IGG, but positive for IGM. I’m assuming it was that because I had blood taken when I had a cold sore. I actually had a situation a few months ago that I posted on this forum (anonymous1234).

[Terri Warren]

So let me be certain I have this right: you had an IgM showing HSV 1 antibody? That is not adequate to determine that you are infected with HSV 1. The IgM test is wrong a very large percentage of the time. Whether you have a cold sore at the time or not is not relevant to the results of the blood test. I would say if you get another cold sore, get it swab tested to see if it is really HSV 1. The most reliable test for HSV 1 is the herpes western blot. The IgG test for HSV 1 misses 1-2 of 10 infections.

I am also not convinced about his cold sore status now. Are you?

Terri

[Anonymous12345]

Not really. When it first came up, it looked like a pimple. I felt like my tongue was a bit swollen and my throat bothered me. The next day, I felt fine. The cold sore was on my chin and similar bumps came up under my nose, which I thought was strange, and kind of stayed in this pimple-like looking state, but didn’t blister or have puss. It didn’t itch or even hurt that much. When I showed the doctor, she said it was a cold sore and gave me valtrex, but it still didn’t really go away. Now about three weeks after the valtrex, my skin is flaky and dry there. I went for a follow up at the doctor and she said that it was scabbing.

[Terri Warren]

Hmmmmm. I have my doubts given your description but there is no way to be certain aside for swab testing.

Terri

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