Genital HSV 1 info request

[lex250]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your help.

I was diagnosed with genital hsv1 two months ago when a swab test was taken of a small sore on my vagina. The sore was accompanied by body aches, discharge, soreness on my vagina, etc. I was given acyclovir and symptoms cleared up. A few weeks later I began to feel tingling and body aches, which would resolve with acyclovir 5 day treatment but come back soon after i completed the course of pills. I asked to be put on valtrex daily suppressive therapy. I have not had symptoms since, aside from very mild tingling that lasts a few seconds every so often.

I have struggled to find solid information about GENITAL hsv 1. I am in a monogamous relationship with a man who is unclear of their hsv 1 status. they were tested for all stds but not for herpes before we had intercourse for the first time (as was I) but both of us were unclear about the fact that hsv tests are NOT administered as part of routine std screenings. we had unprotected intercourse regularly for 2.5 months before my initial outbreak.

during my initial outbreak (we did not have sex during any outbreak, but a few days before my initial outbreak), my partner also developed a small red pump at the base of their penis but were not able to get a swab test before the bump cleared up. he was checked out as soon as he was able and was told by his doctor to get a swab test as soon as he had a sore, and that until then, other tests would not provide super valuable information. he does not have a history of cold sores and as far as he knows (may be limited information), past partners were not hsv positive.

my question is-
in the case that my partner is hsv1 negative, what are the chances of me transmitting hsv1 to him? And could i transmit hsv1 genitally to him if they have it orally? could he have it orally without ever having symptoms?

we use condoms during intercourse (after diagnosis, before diagnosis we did not use condoms) and i am on daily valtrex suppressive therapy. in the case that i have intercourse with other people in future relationships, how likely is it that i will transmit hsv 1 genitally while using valtrex suppressive therapy AND condoms 100% of the time? I have read a tiny bit that there is less of a transmission rate for genital hsv1 versus genital hsv2 but would like more information, imput, etc on that.

i ask just because this is taking an emotional toll on me, I have become anxious about intimacy and transmitting it especially since we are unclear about my partner’s hsv status. i have had a hard time finding clear information on genital hsv 1 and feel like I shouldn’t be as anxious as I am as it is not the end of the world and aside from this stressful hsv ordeal my partner and I are in a healthy loving and supportive relationship. I just want to feel more calm and knowledgable about my body.

thank you for your time.

• This topic was modified 9 years, 1 month ago by lex250.

[Terri Warren]

I’m sorry this has been a rough time for you. You are absolutely right – this is no where near the end of the world.
So the first thing that needs to happen here is an IgG HSV 1 and 2 antibody test. If his provider won’t do it, since he either doesn’t know about proper testing or just won’t do it, then he can get that testing done online by ordering it himself. See the reference above for the specific test.

So there are a couple of possibilities here. First, if he has oral HSV 1, whether he has symptoms or not, he can transmit the virus to you by giving you oral sex. Second, you could have had HSV 1 for years and did’t know it. It recurs very infrequently for most people, so another outbreak could have been many years ago. Third, he could have genital HSV 1 infection and transmitted it to you through intercourse, though that doesn’t happen too often. It does happen.

If he was not the giver of oral sex to you, you can eliminate the first option. That leaves two and three. When you were first diagnosed, I know you had a swab test but did you also have an IgG antibody test? If you did, and it was negative, this means it was your first infection. If not antibody testing was done right away, you cannot ever know if this was a new infection or an old infection. If your partner does get tested and he is HSV 1 negative, then you can know you didn’t get it from him and he is vulnerable to your HSV 1 infection. Although I will say that the traditional test misses about 1 of 10 infections. If he is positive, then either he infected you or you already had it already and can either know that based on an antibody test or can never know if an antibody test was not done. Whew! That is all very complicated I think.

Anyway hope you understand all of that but feel free to ask me questions.
After your answers I’ll answer the rest of your questions.

Terri

[lex250]

Thank you Terri. This is helpful. I will pass this information along and suggest that they get an igG tests done. I feel that will answer some questions. I did not get an igG test done when I was diagnosed, just a swab test.

At this point, while we wait for their testing, how likely is it that I can transmit the virus genitally to them (in the case that they are hsv 1 negative) if we use condoms 100% of the time AND valtrex suppressive therapy?

also, could he have hsv1 orally and NEVER have had symptoms in his life? He does not have a history of cold sores as far as he knows.

If they have hsv1 orally, can they also get it genitally?

I know its hard to know for sure since they have not been tested yet, BUT in the mean time while we get the tests sorted out, I would like to put my mind at ease by feeling a bit more knowledgable about hsv1, particularly genital infection. I have not spoken to many people about this other than a close friend, my partner and my doctor, so any insight or perspective that could help me feel a calmer about this would be great, as every time i go online for information I find what seems like blown-out-of-proportion terrifying things and images.

Thank you for your time.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 1 month ago by lex250.

[Terri Warren]

The chances of you transmitting HSV 1 to them genitally with the measures you have put in place are extremely small indeed.
Yes, anyone can have HSV 1 and NEVER have any symptoms anywhere on their body.
If they have HSV 1 orally (which a blood test cannot determine – it cannot tell location), they would likely never get it genitally.
You are wise not to let yourself get worked up about this. This, in the big picture, will be a minor blip on the radar, I believe.

Terri

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