Possible Transmission GHSV1

[Ashley3105]

Okay so I am male and had genital hsv 1 for over 5 years with only one known initial outbreak.
I had unprotected sex, and after having unprotected sex when I got home I noticed 4/5 small spots on my foreskin at the base. We did not use protection but I have been on antivirals (acyclovir) for the last week/ 2 weeks so would have been on them during intercourse. I think it may have but not to sure been a very very mild outbreak.As I definitely have not had one before and the physical genital to genital contact with my partner only lasted a minute or so, If that was the case, even if it was the fact I was on an outbreak what are the chances of my transmission there ? , directly to genitals. Today is now the 15th day from intercourse and no blisters or symptoms below have occurred.

[Terri Warren]

I think the risk here is incredibly low for transmission of HSV 1 to your partner. I’m not even convinced, by your description, that this was an outbreak at all. If your partner is 15 days away from intercourse with you and has no symptoms, I think you can put this worry to rest. HSV 1 is very rarely transmitted through intercourse.

Terri

[Ashley3105]

Thanks Terri

Let’s say it had of been a partial outbreak, and the spots were liaisons. Even though having contact for under 3 minutes, no previous outbreaks and been on suppression for the past week. If it was a mild outbreak what do you think the chances of transmission is, it’s now 16 days after intercourse and not genital symptoms on her behalf

[Ashley3105]

My final post – I appreciate you may be busy I’m driving myself to insanity over here. 23 days since sex. I’m trying to back track and talk myself into none transmission. The spots mentioned above had no pain or discomfort to touch. They did not just ‘show up on that day’ I’m sure they were there for at least a day before. They went two days after. The foreskin was slightly irritated but sex did not seem painful. If they were herpes liaisons. (They definitely were not open or oozing or shiny) would the genital of contact guaranteed transmission. Or would the fact I’d been on acyclovir for 5 days lowered their infectivity, also not having a single outbreak in over 5 years lower this as-well. With it been genital hsv 1 surely she’d of had an outbreak by now. She’s been through a full menstrual cycle in that 23 day period with no outbreak. I’m literally making myself soo ill, not eating not sleeping as if I’m expecting a call any second to tell me she has it. Please your honest opinion on this may give me sanity I need help

[Terri Warren]

I”m so sorry this is upsetting you.
If she hasn’t had an outbreak by now, she is not going to have one that would represent a new infection. She is way past that now. I can’t promise you that she didn’t get infected, but if she did, she did so without symptoms.

Should I assume that your partner has tested negative for HSV 1 by a very reliable test? If not, then we have no idea what’s going on here.

If you haven’t had another outbreak after all the time, were on suppression, and didn’t have symptoms at the time of intercourse, I think your worries are unfounded.

Does your partner know about your genital HSV 1 infection?

Terri

[Ashley3105]

I think what’s worrying me is I don’t know if the spots I had present was an outbreak. If it was to be an outbreak does that guarantee transmission ? or is there still a chance considering the type I have of it not been. Even with they 4 small spots were would the acyclovir for 4/5 days suppressed their level of infectivity. My paranoia is killing me. I’m making myself so so ill. I’m scared I’m going to do something silly

I had those 4 small spots during intercourse. But symptoms of it been an outbreak I cannot say as they were described as above. Are most herpes liaisons sore to touch. Would they have caused some discomfort. Sexual intercourse although lasting 2/3mins was not painful or uncomfortable. I’ve definitely not had an outbreak in over 5 years. Those spots were there for no longer than 3 days maybe 4 if that. Would something so small that looked nothing like an ulcer or cut or open spot be that ?

She does not which is why I’m driving myself to insanity it was a heat of a moment incident that I’m regretting soo much. 26 days now no outbreak. I’m sorry to bombard you but I’ve never in my life felt this scared. Is it true most hsv 1 genital infections have an initial outbreak on infection. I’m trying to find any answers that are going to keep me sane. Please advise on anything above I really need this

[Terri Warren]

If you hadn’t had an outbreak in 5 years, I strongly suspect that this wasn’t an outbreak. It wasn’t tender, it didn’t blister, you were on acyclovir, she hasn’t had any symptoms.
You are very stuck here and I don’t know how else to help you with this further

And you still haven’t’ answered if your partner has tested negative for HSV 1 with a reliable test.

Terri

[Ashley3105]

Hi that is promising that it may not have been an outbreak… we are currently awaiting bloods back. Also positive that she is way past the incubation period

I’ve purchased more to try and gain some sanity here:

If it had of been an outbreak (I know you think it’s not) is transmission guaranteed if those small spots were closed liaisons (not open) or does it depend on contact duration, amount shead and level of infectivity.

Secondly if they had of been active liaisons (although they cleared and went the day after) would the acyclovir (definitely taken for a good few days) of lowered the level of infectivity. Or would that make no difference.

Finally – in your professional opinion as I have read in numerous forums and research. Do most new genital Hsv 1 infections present them selves in the incubation period as most people I’ve spoke to said they had symptoms within a week or two of contact. This type seems more likely to show its self rather than lie dormant on initial infection.

I feel the fact she’s been unwell for two days within the incubation period. Drank heavily for 4 days and had a menstrual cycle and had next to no sleep over the last two weeks due to current medication I feel if infected the virus would have showed by now based on all factors above.

I really appreciate you can not provide certain responses or guarantee none infection. But based on all of the above your professional opinion is highly helping me to gain some sanity. Thank you soo much

[Terri Warren]

If it had of been an outbreak (I know you think it’s not) is transmission guaranteed if those small spots were closed liaisons (not open) or does it depend on contact duration, amount shead and level of infectivity.

Transmission is not certain, even if lesions are present, no

Secondly if they had of been active liaisons (although they cleared and went the day after) would the acyclovir (definitely taken for a good few days) of lowered the level of infectivity. Or would that make no difference.

The acyclovir would have reduced the amount of virus, yes,.

Finally – in your professional opinion as I have read in numerous forums and research. Do most new genital Hsv 1 infections present them selves in the incubation period as most people I’ve spoke to said they had symptoms within a week or two of contact. This type seems more likely to show its self rather than lie dormant on initial infection.

For people who have never been infected with HSV 1 or 2, and become infected with either, they often have symptoms, correct.

I feel the fact she’s been unwell for two days within the incubation period. Drank heavily for 4 days and had a menstrual cycle and had next to no sleep over the last two weeks due to current medication I feel if infected the virus would have showed by now based on all factors above.

I agree this is likely

I really appreciate you can not provide certain responses or guarantee none infection. But based on all of the above your professional opinion is highly helping me to gain some sanity. Thank you soo much

You are most welcome

Terri

[Ashley3105]

That has calmed my mind even more.

In your professional practice I know you have not come across many genital to genital cases. but have you heard of many new hsv1 genital cases not showing in the incubation period or would you say the large majority do.

My last follow up which will help to answer some questions. Are most herpes liaisons sore to touch/ rub if contacted. Would they remain almost the same in appearance and then clear after 2/3 days in an reoccurring outbreak or would they have presented a level of discomfort if rubbed / touched.

Thank you so much for giving me some relief and confidence in moving forwards with my life here.

I’ve made myself so unwell over all this and the chances are looking promising that there isn’t much to worry about here.

[Terri Warren]

In your professional practice I know you have not come across many genital to genital cases. but have you heard of many new hsv1 genital cases not showing in the incubation period or would you say the large majority do.

It isn’t possible to know the answer to your question. Have I had patients who have a first recognized genital lesion, it is swab test positive and their antibody test for HSV 1 is a high positive? yes.
Not commonly but I have seen it yes. Because HSV 1 recurs so infrequently for most people, many people miss the first infection completely and only recognize a recurrence.

My last follow up which will help to answer some questions. Are most herpes liaisons sore to touch/ rub if contacted. Would they remain almost the same in appearance and then clear after 2/3 days in an reoccurring outbreak or would they have presented a level of discomfort if rubbed / touched.

I would say that most herpes lesions are tender to the touch, yes.

I do think you don’t have much to worry about here, yes.

Terri

[Ashley3105]

Thank you for letting me ask these questions.

I’m hopeful with the low possibility of a genital to genital transmission. In all my time on forums and posts I’ve only come across 4/5. I hope I’m not in that number.

Can I ask what factors would influence transmission if a blister or lesion was present.

Your reassurance and thoughts on all of the above have gave me confidence in my situation. I await your reply and again thank you so much for your responses and speed of them

[Terri Warren]

And I would say that one can only know for sure that this was genital to genital transmission if the person diagnosed with HSV 1 genital infection has never in their life received oral sex. The first outbreak that is recognized is definitely not always the first infection.

Certainly, the antibody test of the receiving partner is a big factor, the duration of sex, certainly condom use or not, the amount of virus in the lesion, whether the lesion is new or old, that kind of thing.

Terri

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 5 days ago by Terri Warren.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 5 days ago by Terri Warren.

[Ashley3105]

Hi Terry thanks again for your continued responses

I am still very anxious and nervous. Can I ask further (this is why I have now become more nervous) – would sever back pain / ache on its own with no other additional symptoms going from the lower back up into the ribs be a symptom of an outbreak about to occur or would other symptoms accompany this.

Secondly, if someone was to have a uti or water infection that was caused by hsv would you likely to expect to see other symptoms along side this.

In response to your factors – lesions if on healing would still need a certain level of infectivity ?

Still no results yet but this development of really bad lower back pain and aches on its own has got me rather worried that genital to genital transmission has occurred

[Terri Warren]

No, severe back pain is not a symptom of genital HSV 1.
I don’t know what a water infection is so I can’t help with that, but if a woman has a UTI, if examined, one would likely see lesions.
Healing lesions may or may have not have virus present.
I think you are really overthinking this.

Terri

[Ashley3105]

I really do think I’m over thinking this all

So as a symptom you’d expect to see lesions. There are no lesions or other symptoms of that so that is promising.

The partner woke up with severe back pain which lasted two days. This has now gone with no other symptoms occurring.

I really do think I’m overthinking and panicking far more than I need to. Genital to genital is very uncommon. After 4 weeks since our short engagement I really feel the opportunity for an outbreak to occur has passed. Would you be as worried or with all of the above factors do you think I can put this worry to rest and move forwards

I appreciate your support and speedy replies. I’m slowly starting to feel less anxious and more positive moving forwards

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I think lesions would be present with a new infection.
And yes, I think if lesions were going to be present with a new infection, they would be there by now.
I hope this is a satisfactory answer to the things you mentioned in your post, but I think I’ve said this in previous posts and it seems difficult for you to accept what I am saying.
You are most welcome

Terri

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Terri Warren.

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