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Hello,
I was recently diagnosed with GHSV1 in the middle of September via a swab test by my primary doctor.
As far as herpes in general goes, I am a little bit confused about transmission in general as I have been told different things. I would just like maybe a little clarification on a few things so that I can get a better understanding of it all, so I have a few questions:1: My doctor told me that when it comes to OHSV1 if the carrier did not have a sore that it was unlikely they can pass the virus on. She told me that it is sort of the same for GHSV1 except it would be a little more difficult as you could have bumps appear and not be aware. How true is this?
2: As far as condom use, my gynecologist who I had seen at the beginning of my outbreak unknown at the time had done a pap smear and found lesions and tested them as well. She told me that when having sex would need to use condoms and that things would be okay. How true is this?
3: I am unsure of when I contracted HSV1. I have an idea but I am unsure if this is my first outbreak would you be able to roughly tell me what my transmission risk is?
4: As far as shedding goes, I know that the virus can be in the nerves on the top of the skin from what I have heard. Does this mean if I or someone else were to touch my genitals and then touched their genitals or mouth/face, that they would contract the virus as well?
5: My doctor did not put me on daily antivirals. Some people get on them when they’re in serious relationships but would that be necessary for casual flings or in general seeing as its not ideal to be on them in the long run.
6: Lastly, as far as disclosure goes. My PCP told me that it was up to me. I am morally conflicted as I would not want this to happen to anyone else and take away their right to choose. I also know that some doctors have differing opinions on the matter. What is your opinion, what would you suggest?
Again, Thanks for your time
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1: My doctor told me that when it comes to OHSV1 if the carrier did not have a sore that it was unlikely they can pass the virus on. She told me that it is sort of the same for GHSV1 except it would be a little more difficult as you could have bumps appear and not be aware. How true is this?
We see people all the time acquiring HSV 1 genitally from receiving oral sex from someone who has no cold sore present. HSV 1 genital infection is rarely transmitted via intercourse, though it has been reported in the literature.2: As far as condom use, my gynecologist who I had seen at the beginning of my outbreak unknown at the time had done a pap smear and found lesions and tested them as well. She told me that when having sex would need to use condoms and that things would be okay. How true is this?
Condoms reduce transmission of HSV 2 from females to males by 65%. We don’t know the statistics on HSV 1 transmission but it is likely even better than 65% with condoms.3: I am unsure of when I contracted HSV1. I have an idea but I am unsure if this is my first outbreak would you be able to roughly tell me what my transmission risk is?
No, not if you don’t know how long you’ve had this.4: As far as shedding goes, I know that the virus can be in the nerves on the top of the skin from what I have heard. Does this mean if I or someone else were to touch my genitals and then touched their genitals or mouth/face, that they would contract the virus as well?
No, touching is not a normal means of transmission as the skin of the hand is thick and virus is lost between touching you, then perhaps touching something else, then touching ones self.5: My doctor did not put me on daily antivirals. Some people get on them when they’re in serious relationships but would that be necessary for casual flings or in general seeing as its not ideal to be on them in the long run.
I would agree that most people who have HSV 1 genital infection do not require daily antiviral therapy as shedding rates are low as is transmission. However, if you have a partner who is truly HSV 1 negative and would feel better is you are on suppression, there is no down side.6: Lastly, as far as disclosure goes. My PCP told me that it was up to me. I am morally conflicted as I would not want this to happen to anyone else and take away their right to choose. I also know that some doctors have differing opinions on the matter. What is your opinion, what would you suggest?
There are indeed different opinions about this. And the reason there are differing opinions is that after someone has been infected with HSV 1 genitally for two years at least, they shed virus on about 4 days out of one year. That’s very infrequent. There is no perfect answer on this one.
Terri
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Someone with 20 blisters is likely having a true primary. In pregnancy sometimes, we see people having recurrences that look like primary infections, but usually not in people whose immune system is fully intact, like you.
It will take you a while to be able to sort out what are herpes sensations and what are not. One way to sort that out is to have any suspicious things swab tested to see if there is virus present.
With HSV 1 genital infection, you are unlikely to experience many recurrences at all. But you might have more during that first year of infection as your immune system gets used to handling the virus.
Terri
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1. Right now I’m having a menstrual cycle. I have been experiencing some burning and irritation on my back end. I do have a history of having irritation back there as a child when I use the restroom. The symptoms started up last Thursday or Friday I believe. I went to see my primary care physician because of my anxieties and we decided that I would get on a daily antiviral for a month to see if that was how I did. Do you think that this is something that I should get swabbed somehow or should I wait and see how I do on the daily antiviral? Also with bumps and ingrown hairs, do I need to get every single one tested as well I just font want to think it’s something normal and it isn’t.
I think while you get adjusted to having HSV 1, swabbing of symptoms would be useful to help you sort out what you should be concerned about as an outbreak and what symptoms are unrelated to HSV 1.
2. I was able to get one of the two ppl that I thought may have given it to me to get tested. He got tested and came back negative but I do not know what test he took. To my knowledge, he has no history of cold sores but I suspected him because he had performed oral sex on me maybe 3 weeks before my outbreak. I am not on speaking terms with the other person but we had unprotected sex and 2 weeks later the outbreak began. I also was sick 2 weeks before so I guess I am just out of luck on figuring it out. If you were able to give your best guess what would you think? If you can’t give one I totally understand.
If you have only received oral sex from two people in your lifetime, I would suspect the second person because of the timing being closer to the outbreak.
3. Would you possibly be able to explain shedding to me? I watched your video where you explain that it can live in the nerves on top of the skin. She made it sound like asymptomatic meant symptoms you can’t see. So like if I had lesions on my cervix and couldn’t see them would that be asymptomatic or am I understanding wrong?
Asymptomatic is a subjective impression. It is not a clinical impression. So it means if you don’t see or feel symptoms, that is asymptomatic. If I were to examine you, I might visualize something you didn’t, but for you, you are still asymptomatic because it is about YOUR impressions of your own body sensations and visualizations. Does that make sense?
Terri
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1. On 11/4 I developed a bump. As I stated in my last post, I was going to take daily antiviral for a month and see how it mad me feel. It helped with some of the sensations I thought I was feeling. I know I was overly attentive to any sensation so that helped a bit. Before the bump though, I had irritation in that area for a few days, which has happened before due to tight underwear. I did not have access to the doctor at that time but I started taking the stronger dosage of Valtrex she had prescribed for an outbreak. The bump was gone by 11/6 sometime that afternoon. Does this sound like it was an outbreak? I have another bump now however it feels like just a regular pimple down there that I have gotten before. I can feel the bump under the skin and it only hurts when pressure is applied. Are there any determining factors that could help me determine what I am experiencing without having to pay a copay every time I think I am having an outbreak?
No, there is no replacement for having a swab test and exam done (swab test more important) to know if a bump is related to HSV 1 or not.
2. I often times check myself out down there to see if there is anything I need to worry about, any bumps, or cuts. This is normally right after the shower when I make sure to dry that area off. In this instance do I need to immediately get up and wash my hands or am I okay? I hope that doesn’t sound gross. Also when bathing I try to make sure I wash my genitals last so I don’t pass it anywhere else on my body. Is this a form of transmission?
You do not need to wash your hands right away again if you are checking for lesions immediately after a shower, no. This is not a form of transmission.
3. Another thing, the skin. I the reason doctors say that condoms are not 100% effective because all of the surrounding skin has herpes, or is it because there could be bumps hidden somewhere that could cause infection? When I say that I’m asking do they tell your that because there are bumps we cannot see or is it because there all of the surrounding skin is contagious… I hope the question I am asking makes sense. I know you can have prodrome symptoms in areas where you get bumps so I thought maybe it was more so the fact we can’t seem bumps vs. if you touch herpes skin and then touch someone else you will get it.
It is because vaginal secretions carrying virus can get onto parts of a male body that aren’t completely covered by a condom. People can shed virus from herpes when there are lesions and when there are not. Your HSV 1 genital infection is going to shed less and less, the farther away you get from September.
Terri
I have heard that because I have ghsv1 it is harder to transmit when no outbreak is present but I am just trying to get all of the facts straight.
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Sorry,you are out of questions.
Terri
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