GHSV-1 questions

[HelensQ]

Hi Terri,

Thank you for all your insights provided in this forum.

I’ve had GHSV1 for 2 years now. It hasn’t been easy to accept this, but I think I’m getting there.

Besides the very painful primary outbreak, I’ve had only two minor outbreaks, both during the first year. Both these outbreaks occurred after sex (with the same partner I got herpes from) and I know now that friction can cause an outbreak. My question is what does that mean in terms of transmission risk to a new partner (assuming that this person does not have HSV1)? It’s such a relief to read that you on average shed the virus 4 days a year after having GHSV1 for 2 years. But can GHSV1 transmission really be considered to be low if sex actually causes an outbreak?

My question is really if I can assume that I got these outbreaks after sex BECAUSE I was already shedding the virus? And the friction just triggered the blisters? If so, can I assume that I’ll have less outbreaks after sex now that the virus is shedding less?

Or can friction cause an outbreak even if the virus isn’t shedding or isn’t “active”? Does the friction itself “activate” the outbreak? I hope my question makes sense.

Besides the fear of passing on HSV1, I’m now also terrified of getting HSV 2. I understand that there is not much research here in terms of if HSV1 offers any protection against HSV2. But I’ve also read that it is “highly unlikely” to have both types of herpes genitially, is this correct? Or I am just much more likely to have an asymptomatic/mild outbreak if I would ever get HSV-2? Do you have any insights here?

Thank you so much.

[Terri Warren]

I suspect that now that you are farther out from the original diagnosis that the friction of intercourse will be less likely to cause an outbreak as your immune system is more skilled at dealing with the virus. Usually, the case is that someone is NOT shedding but the friction of intercourse can cause the virus to become active, not the other way around.

If you don’t want to get HSV 2, ask your partners about testing. it is unlikely to have both types genitally, but it does happen. If you have already have HSV 1 then acquisition of HSV 2 could happen with either mild symptoms or none, that’s correct.

Terri

[HelensQ]

Thank you.

When you say it’s “unlikely” to have both types of HSV genitally, what does that mean? Is there any statistics/research on how common this is?

I understand it’s fairly common to have oral HSV-1 and genital HSV-2. Is there a difference here between how much protection oral vs. genital HSV-1 offers against genital HSV-2?

[Terri Warren]

Perhaps 6% of people have both HSV 1 and 2 genitally.
We don’t have data on how much, if any, infection in either location protects against HSV 2.

Terri

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