Hsv2 transmission via saliva

[Joeblack]

Hi Terri,

I am positive hsv2 & negative hsv1 (pcr tested) since June 2021 and occasionally have mild genital OB. Never had any cold sores in my life.

Also, i started valtrex 500mg a day yesterday to avoid ob after covid vaccine (potential trigger).

Today, while feeding my 6yo son, i think i accidently dropped a drop of saliva into his food and he ate it immediately. I cant be sure but i did feel the saliva movement on my tongue, with mouth open as i held his food close to me- we were getting into a hug.

Questions

What are the chances of my 6yo getting hsv2 from this episode? In this case, its oral?
Should i be worried?
What is the right age to test?
What are the symtoms of ohsv2?

I regret for not taking away the food from him immediately then. Please help to advise me Terri, thanks.

[Terri Warren]

There is zero chance of transmission to your son. You should never be worried. Children should never have testing as there is a 50% false positive rate in children under 12

Terri

[Joeblack]

Thanks Terri.

I have one more question.

Just today, my 6yo son drank from the same straw IMMEDIATELY right after me using it, without me realising as i was attending to the younger kid. Is this a transmission risk, zero risk or very low risk? And why?

Secondly, how frequent does ohsv2 sheds without symtoms? (Just for me to know as there is a remote possibility i may have ohsv2 as well despite having zero oral OB so far).

Again on background, i am hsv2 positive with occasional genital OB but none oral OB. Diagnosed positively in May 2021.

Thanks for your time.

[Terri Warren]

The straw incident does not pose a risk for transmission of HSV 2. I don’t have the statistics on shedding of oral HSV 2 with me as we are traveling, but it is really really low. There is no reason to think now that you have oral HSV 2, is there?

Terri

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