HSV1 orally and genitally

[Confused Guy]

Hi Terri,

Thank you for what you do. Solid Information on herpes is hard to find.

I am a 36 year old male that has had cold sores Since at least high school. So any time I’ve been tested I have been positive for HSV1. I had read a lot of the questions and answers on this site and you’ve stated that it would be very unlikely to get HSV1 genitally after having such a history with cold sores. 3 months ago I had sex with 2 different partners with in a week, unprotected. Then a few days later I had what appeared to be a cluster of herpes blisters on my testicles. I immediately got a prescription for Valtrex and it cleared up in 4-5 days but was still red For a few days after. I was recently tested and it was NOT HSV2. About Two years prior I had one single herpes blister that I popped and it was watery. I was concerned then it was Genital HSV 1 but read that it was unlikely. So I am confused.

Do you believe I am HSV1 positive both orally and genitally?

I have been on 500mg of Valtrex since. Does that work effectively on preventing Genital HSV1 transmission? I am concerned for new uninfected partners

[Terri Warren]

I do understand why you are concerned though I have to say I rarely see herpes outbreaks on the testicle. You say that you first got cold sores in high school. Were you sexually active at that time? Did you receive oral sex from anyone around that time? do you think it is possible that you acquired both oral and genital infection at the same time? it is also very possible that what you experienced on the testicle is NOT herpes. If it ever comes back, have it swab tested on the first day that you see it.

Valtrex does work to reduce viral shedding of HSV 1 in any location, mouth or genital

Terri

[Confused Guy]

I have gotten cold sores before I ever received oral sex or had sex vaginally.

You said you rarely see herpes on the testicles however I see that it is a common site for it to appear on other sites such as planned parenthood.

You said it could NOT be herpes but what else could it be? I understand how the single blister could be confused with something else. But this recent time presented as a cluster of small fluid filled blisters. They appeared in rather quickly, nothing that i noticed in the morning when I woke up and by early afternoon they were there. Never had any prodrome and never get them for when I get cold sores for that matter. The Valacylovir seemed to work quickly.

I don’t know whether I need to disclose anything except the cold sores at this point. I am planning to continue 500mg per day of Valacyclovir either way

[Terri Warren]

I didn’t say it could not be herpes. I said I rarely see herpes on the testicle and that is true for me, regardless of what it says on the Planned Parenthood websiste. I specialized in genital herpes infection for 33 years, seeing thousands of patients and that is the experience that I am reporting to you. Have I seen it? Yes, just rarely. You said you were tested and do not have HSV 2. is that IgM, IgG, swab test? and if IgG, how long after the last sexual encounter did you get tested? It can take up to 12 weeks for an antibody test to become positive, after a new infection.

Terri

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