GHSV-2 to OHSV-2 re-infection

[JustPassingBy]

Hi Terri,

I have no history of cold sores but was infected with HSV-2 genitally over 15 years ago. I recently noticed a small blister on my lip which I brushed off as nothing, but naturally the paranoia has set in. By chance I did take an IgG test around two months ago which confirmed HSV-2 positive and HSV-1 negative, as expected.

The blister in question appeared on Friday and had became a callus by the next day with no tingling, pain etc. (pic for reference: https://i.imgur.com/B6M7uVS.png).

My girlfriend also has no history of cold sores and we have always been very open with sexual health, and my own GHSV-2 outbreaks are very rare. I know it’s quite uncommon to get OHSV-2 from oral sex so is passing OHSV-2 to yourself even possible?

• This topic was modified 7 months ago by JustPassingBy. Reason: additional details

[Terri Warren]

Something that becomes a callus the next day is extremely unlikely to be herpes. Also, if your IgG is correct, once you have HSV 2, the odds are something like one in 50,000 that you would then acquire HSV 1 subsequently. I suspect you are dealing with something entirely different.

Passing OHSV 2 to yourself? I’m not clear that I understand that question

TErri

[JustPassingBy]

Thanks for response, and yes it does seem extremely unlikely that it was herpes but in the absence of another explanation that’s where the mind goes to sometimes! I shall ignore it.

With regards to passing OHSV-2 to myself, I meant autoinoculation (I.e touching my face after handling genitals whilst shedding). Though I have since read the handbook on this site and that does indeed seem borderline impossible at this stage.

[Terri Warren]

Autoinoculation is very unlikely about 4 months after a new infection.

Terri

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