Oral HSV-2??

[User54321]

Terri – I was diagnosed with genital herpes 20 years ago HSV-2 and am not aware of how it was acquired (didn’t ask enough questions). First outbreak was a few days after pelvic exam at a dr appt. I never looked into whether I was positive for HSV-1. I am waiting for test results now to confirm both again after all these years. I have never had sores on my mouth or lips but have had one open sore on the bone-bearing part of my mouth over 18 years ago that a dentist said was probably herpes. My concern is if I test negative for HSV -1, should I assume I have oral HSV-2 since the blood test cannot confirm location? I never had that mouth sore swabbed so I have no idea if it was something else entirely. I fear that if I have oral HSV-2 that even kissing will now become an issue for me in addition to dealing with actual sexual intercourse. Your thoughts?

[Terri Warren]

You mention that you were diagnosed with HSV 2 (and you mention the type specifically) 20 years ago. Do you know how the type specific diagnosis was made? Was it a swab test and are you pretty certain it was typed? Have you symptoms of recurrent herpes over the years since then?

I think it is very unlikely that the sore you describe was HSV 2. it sounds a lot more like a canker sore to me. I’m not saying it isn’t possible but it is unlikely. Once a person has an infection in one location (your genitals) it is very unlikely that you would acquire infection at a new location on the body. So what I’m saying is that if your antibody test is positive for HSV 2 (which I would expect it to be if you actually had a type specific swab done at your original visit), you should assume it is from your genital infection diagnosed years ago.

The test may well be negative for HSV 1 because the sore in your mouth does not sound like herpes. Also, the traditional herpes screening test missed 1-2 out of 10 infections with hSV 1. So not great for that.

Does that help? I could be missing the point here.

You’ve got two more questions to ask me so feel free.

Terri

[User54321]

Terri – yes I was diagnosed with hsv2 via a swab test and it was typed. I have had recurrences but they have been 1-2 per year and fewer since going on suppressive therapy about 4 years ago. My worst outbreaks were during 1st trimester of both pregnancies. My husband of 17 years is also negative for hsv2.

Can you explain more about acquiring the virus in both locations? I am sure that I gave oral sex to my partner that I suspect passed the virus on to me (although I don’t recall that it was often at all). From what I read it is now known that the virus can be acquired in both locations at the same time of infection.

I have looked at many pictures on the Internet and my mouth sore does not seem to fit the herpes profile. It was right behind my last tooth where my wisdom tooth was taken out. It was open round no raised edges or white covering that I remember. There is some extra skin there and it seems to get irritated easily. I don’t specifically remember getting any others but it is possible that I have but they were not as bad. I am concerned because of what the dentist said and because of what I have researched. I have canker sores all of the time. So when I read that herpes could be in the mouth I was alarmed.

So my test came back negative <.91 for hsv1 and positive 15.4 for hsv2. What can I do to have a comfort level that I do not have oral hsv2? I read something about swab kits. Would that only be for active lesions?

Currently I am facing divorce and want to have a comfort level that I am not passing it on to someone else via kissing. Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, it is of course possible that you can acquire HSV 2 in both locations IF you gave oral sex to and had intercourse with the same person in the same encounter. But HSV 2 really doesn’t like the mouth very much and so it happens there less, recurs there less and shed far less than HSV 1 from the mouth. As you probably know, canker sores are not caused by herpes. And yes, you could try to recover virus from that mouth sore when you have it by PCR swabbing. But to me, it sounds like a classic canker sore.

I think for your presentation, HSV 2 is unlikely and I wouldn’t worry as much as you are about it because HSV 2 orally sheds and recurs so very infrequently. But if you want to try swabbing with an outbreak, you sure can.

Terri

[User54321]

Does the high index of 15.4 mean anything besides positive? Is it my description of the sore and that I have never had a cold sore more compelling to infer no or that sstatistically it is unlikely or a combination of both? Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

We have used up our three questions, I’m afraid. But quick answer. No, the index value means nothing in itself and yes, the lack of cold sores helps me believe that you are only infected genitally.

If you would like to post more questions, you will need to renew your subscription where you originally signed up.

Terri

[Author]

Posts