Genital HSV-1 and Oral Sex?

[anonymous123456]

Hi Terri,

I was recently diagnosed with genital HSV-1 through a swab test.
I have been in a monogamous relationship with a steady partner for two years. We both got tested for STD’s early on in the relationship
but we were unaware that testing did NOT include herpes testing. We have been sexually active without condoms for two years.
I had an aggressive outbreak of genital sores suddenly about a month ago and my swab result was HSV-1.
We are awaiting the result of my partner’s blood test, which we are assuming will be positive for HSV-1 as well.
He has never had any type of cold sore or bump in his genital region or around his mouth, ever.

I have done a lot of research and I know that herpes simplex is often asymptomatic. I have been trying to deduce whether my partner has oral
HSV-1, or genital HSV-1 (although I know that there is no way to know for sure).
It is confusing to me that if he has had oral HSV-1 for this whole time, that I did not catch it from him since we have shared so much saliva (for more than 2 years). It leads to me believe that he may have genital HSV-1 and I may have caught it from asymptomatic shedding (even though I know genital-to-genital transmission is rare).

We have now been avoiding oral sex since we are unsure whether my genital HSV-1 can be transferred to his oral region. The only thing
that we know for sure is that I have genital HSV-1 and he (most likely) has HSV-1 somewhere.

My questions are:
1) Is it possible that I contracted oral HSV-1 during the same encounter that I was infected with genital HSV-1? I have read that outbreaks are linked to the quality of your immune system, and mine is very poor, which makes me inclined to believe that if I had oral HSV-1 that I would show it.
2) Since I have genital HSV-1, do I need to worry about having oral sex with my partner? If he also has HSV-1?

Thank you for your time.

[Terri Warren]

I would venture a guess that he is infected somewhere, yes. And even if his screening test is negative for HSV 1, I still think he has it. The screening test for HSV 1 is not the greatest. If he has genital HSV 1, he won’t get your HSV 1 from giving you oral sex. If he does test negative for HSV 1 and is worried that he might not really be infected, a western blot can help clarify that. The screening test misses 1-2 out of 10 infections.

I would not worry about having any kind of sex with him. It seems to me you are now both infected with HSV 1 and you are home free.

Yes you could have acquired HSV 1 in both places, did you have oral symptoms? In my experience, people who contract it in both places do have symptoms in both places of some kind. I am assuming you did not have oral symptoms.

Terri

[anonymous123456]

Hi Terri,

Thanks for your response. An update – I had no oral symptoms at all initially, but about 2 months after my outbreak I seem to have something on the corners of my mouth. I’m not 100% sure that they’re coldsores,because I do tend to get dry skin.
But one of them became pussy/scabby and it seemed to look more like a cold sore than dry skin.

Is it possible that I got the genital outbreak of HSV-1 first, and then the oral outbreak about 2 months after?? I’m a bit confused.

On a different note, for when I get a new sexual partner, do I simply need to get them tested for HSV-1/2 and if they are positive for HSV-1 then I don’t need to worry about sexual activity with them?

Thanks.

[Terri Warren]

Things in the corner of the mouth may or may not be herpes. There is also a condition called angular chelitis that is NOT herpetic that can occur in the corner of the mouth. You won’t be able to know if this is herpes or not, should it recur, without a swab test, preferably PCR. I suppose it is possible that you acquired it genital and orally at the same time and showed up only genitally but that is certainly a less common scenario, I think.

Yes, if you get a new partner who is positive for HSV 1 (but negative for HSV 2) there are no worries about transmission. The risk of a new partner getting your HSV 1 or them getting yours is very very tiny.

You have one more post, feel free to ask another question if you have one.

Terri

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.

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