How Likely is HSV1 diagnosis genital

[Whitehorse223]

Hi Terri,

I hope you’re well. My ex texted me saying he has herpes two weeks after our break up. We were sleeping together for 3.5 months unprotected. I don’t know how long he’d known and what type, was too upset & distraught to have that convo. I visited a doctor even though I had no symptoms. The doctor did a culture test anyway of my vagina and anus (anus was itchy due to hemorrhoid). Came back negative. He said the only way to find out is by blood work and didn’t suggest it because he said most people show HSV1 positive which might mess with my head. The only symptom I had after the break up was swollen groin lymph node (on the right) which the doctor said was probably due to my bad yeast infection I was unaware of. I had to find out, so I waited 3 months since last sex with my ex and went to get blood done. At this time I still have no symptoms. My blood work came back 17.90 positive for HSV1 and <0.90 Negative for HSV2.

1. My question is, how likely is this genital? My sister and mom have had cold sores on their lips for as long as I can remember but I can’t remember ever having one even as a child.

2. If I find out which type my ex was diagnosed with, would that help answer my question? Let’s say he was diagnosed with HSV2 genitally, would that eliminate the question of him giving me HSV1 genitally?

3. Could someone have both types genitally? I know HSV1 can be transferred to genitals as well.

4. If I don’t develop symptoms genitally, is it safe to say it’s oral?

5. What can the number 17.90 mean really? Any way to tell if I’ve had it or it’s recent?

Thanks in advance.

[Terri Warren]

1. My question is, how likely is this genital? My sister and mom have had cold sores on their lips for as long as I can remember but I can’t remember ever having one even as a child.
We cannot know if your infection is oral or genital without a lesion in either location but if your family had this, there is a good chance it is oral

2. If I find out which type my ex was diagnosed with, would that help answer my question? Let’s say he was diagnosed with HSV2 genitally, would that eliminate the question of him giving me HSV1 genitally?
If he was diagnosed with HSV 2, only, that would eliminate the chances of him giving you genital HSV 1, c orrect.

3. Could someone have both types genitally? I know HSV1 can be transferred to genitals as well.
That’s very unlikely

4. If I don’t develop symptoms genitally, is it safe to say it’s oral?
well, I think it is safe to say that is more likely but we just can’t be certain.

5. What can the number 17.90 mean really? Any way to tell if I’ve had it or it’s recent?
It is not very recent, no, we can know that. It is a well established infection.

If it is oral, and you gave him oral sex, you could have infected him genitally. it would be goo dto know what type he has.

Terri

[Whitehorse223]

1. Can someone have HSV1 both orally and genitally?

5. Well established meaning a few months or years? Our relationship started in May, does this number make sense for an infection or 7 months or less?

Another question: is GHSV1 transferred easily from male to female genitally?

I know it’s possible I gave it to him if oral was involved, but I think it’s unlikely since I had a 5 year relationship before him and 2 other long term before the 5 year so I feel that at some point, someone would have informed me of symptoms.

I really want to avoid the conversation of asking him or talking to him. I don’t think I will get a straight answer if I ask.

[Terri Warren]

1. Can someone have HSV1 both orally and genitally?
Yes, but if that is true, they almost always get it at the same time – if you got this in childhood, that isn’t the case.

5. Well established meaning a few months or years? Our relationship started in May, does this number make sense for an infection or 7 months or less?
well established, meaning at least 3 months or so.

Another question: is GHSV1 transferred easily from male to female genitally?
No, it definitely is not

I know it’s possible I gave it to him if oral was involved, but I think it’s unlikely since I had a 5 year relationship before him and 2 other long term before the 5 year so I feel that at some point, someone would have informed me of symptoms.

I really don’t agree with your assessment of this particular situation. you could have been infected for a long time and not shed the virus very often. In addition, it could be that previous partners already had a cold sore history (known or not) and so they wouldn’t get this from you.

I’m not sure why you would actually need to talk to him, but if you do, be certain that his virus was typed, HSV 1 or HSV 2. HSV 1 genital infection will be far less contagious to others.

Terri

I really want to avoid the conversation of asking him or talking to him. I don’t think I will get a straight answer if I ask.

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