Possible transmission?

[Mustang01]

I was diagnosed with genital herpes in 2013. I have not had many outbreaks since then, no more than five, and have not had a single outbreak in the past eight or nine months. I have never been on suppressive therapy regularly until December 2017. I only took Valtrex if I felt an outbreak coming on or as soon as I noticed an outbreak present.
I have been with my current partner for five months, and have been taking acyclovir every day, 400 mg three times a day since December, as a precaution even though I have not had many outbreaks in the past almost 5 years. My partner and I do not use condoms, and I have not had any symptoms of prodrome, and like I said, no actual outbreaks. My partner has never shown any signs of contracting the virus. However, yesterday I woke up with what could have been the start of a couple of cold sores on my mouth. (I should note that I have never had a cold sore in my 35 years of life). Really just looked like my lips were sunburned, but 2 tiny pimple-like sores were present… One on my upper lip and one on my lower lip. Again, very small, and a burn/chapped feeling along the edges of my lips. My concern is that he has contracted the virus from me, and it has now shown up as oral herpes on me, via performing oral sex on him. Is this possible? Do these tiny sores even sound like herpes sores/cold sores?
I must note that as soon as I noticed the small sores on my mouth, I immediately started treating it with Carmex. Last night, I used a salicylic acid acne ointment ( in case it was just pimples ) around the edges of my mouth and this morning they are almost gone.

[Mustang01]

One thing I failed to mention, last week my partner went to the doctor for sinus drainage and chest congestion/tightness and dealt with that for a couple of weeks. Also, has had trouble sleeping through the night, wakes up a lot and can’t sleep 8-9 hours straight like usual. I think it’s just allergies (pollen is high where we live) and stress, but is a concern to me because flu like symptoms and fatigue are said to be symptoms of carrying the virus.

Also, the bumps along the edges of my mouth are now gone, but still a bit dry feeling.

[Terri Warren]

The bumps sound nothing like herpes to me at all.
Once you have herpes in one location on your body, it is extremely unlikely you would get it in a new location on your body. so I’m not worried about the possibility of transmission as you suggest.
Do you have HSV 1 or 2 genitally?

Terri

[Mustang01]

I honestly do not remember which I was diagnosed with, and if I remember correctly, I only had a swab test on a Genital sore, no blood test.

[Terri Warren]

It might be good to know the type that you have. If you meet someone with whom you wish to have sex, for example, if they are positive for HSV 1 due to cold sores and you are positive for HSV 1 due to genital herpes, it is extremely unlikely that this would result in an infection in a new location on either body. However, if you have HSV 2 and are having sex with someone who is HSV 2 negative, you should consider daily antiviral therapy and condom use to reduce the risk of transmission

This is your final post on this subscription. If you have more questions feel free to renew

Terri

• This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by Terri Warren.

[Mustang01]

(I resubscribed)

1) Do my partners sleeping issues and sinus issues concern you at all, in relation to flu-like symptoms being a possible indicator of contracting the virus?

2) I have read many studies and articles that say chances of transmission, while never zero, are still very low with daily antiviral therapy and NO condoms. Is this correct?

[Terri Warren]

1. They do not concern me even a tiny bit, no.
2. yes, transmission risk while using condoms and antiviral therapy are very low indeed.

Terri

[Mustang01]

But also, transmission risk, female to male, while on consistent antiviral therapy, no sex during an outbreak or feeling of an outbreak coming on (again, I’ve had no outbreak in at least 9 months, if not longer, and less than 5 outbreaks in 5 years), yet NO condoms, is still also very low….correct?

[Terri Warren]

Yes, correct.

Terri

[Mustang01]

One more follow up question: as I have said previously, I have not had a visible outbreak with obvious herpes blisters in at least 9 months. Since going on 1200mg acyclovir a day in December, not even any symptoms of prodrome. However, I’ve had a small red spot just inside my vagina, feels a little raw. Have seemed rather red on all soft tissue for a week or two also, but this more raw feeling spot has been there about a week. Does this sound anything to you like something herpes-related? My partner and I had sex this morning, and I didn’t think about it because it hasn’t really been bothering me, but then felt a little more raw afterwards.
Again, I’m on 1200mg acyclovir everyday for the past 5+ months, no visible outbreaks with the typical white herpes blisters. I should mention that my partner performs oral on me frequently and for long periods of time. Thought maybe that + combination of facial hair “stubble” could also be causing this.

[Terri Warren]

The vaginal spot that you describe could be a herpes outbreak, yes, but it’s very difficult to say. The antiviral medicine you are on should be very effective in reducing viral shedding.

This is your final post on the subscription. If you have more questions, feel free to renew.

Terri

• This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by Terri Warren.

[Author]

Posts