Hsv1

[2022thisisme]

Hello,

I had a blood test done last year which came back with a very high hsv1 antibody positive range. (HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec 26.80.) I have never had a cold sore or any symptoms above or below my waist, but my ex partner, who I was with for 9 years, did frequently have cold sores. I am worried about potentially infecting new partners with genital hsv1 through oral sex. I am thinking about a western blot to confirm my status.

[Terri Warren]

aaaaah, and here you are!
Without a lesion in either the oral or genital area to swab test, we cannot know if your infection is oral or genital. If your partner with the cold sores was the giver of oral sex to you, or if anyone has given you oral sex in the past, genital infection is also possible. If you have HSV 1 genitally, it sheds infrequently and recurs infrequently.

I don’t think you need to bother with the western blot – this is a high positive and does not need confirmation. Remember that about half the population has this HSV 1 infection so very common indeed.

Terri

[2022thisisme]

Thank you for the response. I am just worried about passing the infection to others. I know that hsv1 is very common and I never really worried about it before I took the blood test. I always assumed I didn’t have it because I never experienced any symptoms.

[2022thisisme]

I am most concerned about giving someone oral sex and them being diagnosed with genital hsv1 after. Should I take antivirals? What other precautions can I take?

[Terri Warren]

Since we cannot know if your infection is oral or genital, I cannot offer precautions. But taking antiviral medication daily will likely reduce the risk significantly of transmission to a partner. But remember that about half the population in the US has HSV 1 infection already, so the odds are high that your next partner may also have HSV 1 infection.

Terri

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