When is it safe after first diagnosis?

[DukeMcNasty]

My girlfriend received oral sex from another guy a few weeks ago, and was swabbed and diagnosed with HsV1 a week later after an initial outbreak. He gave it to her orally, and didn’t realize he could spread it without any cold sore symptoms. I’ve read on your forums that the shed rate is only 4 days out of a year, 2 years after initial outbreak. I’d prefer not to wait 2 years to have sex again with her, so I’m wondering what are the chances of me getting genital HSV1 from her if I’m wearing a condom and we have sexual intercourse a month after her initial outbreak?

[Terri Warren]

She is more likely to be shedding virus during the first three months after being infected. So I would recommend the use of daily antiviral medicine during that first three month period as well as condoms. I am assuming that you have had an accurate test to know that you are not infected?

Terri

[DukeMcNasty]

Based on your site and all the information, I plan to have a Western Blot very soon, but she can pinpoint the cause and verified the person and we haven’t been together since that occurred. I did have a larger STI test a number of months ago that included everything and everything was negative.

A follow up question for you, and sorry if this is a stupid question. HSV1 is transmitted orally, from oral to genital and that’s how someone gets GHSV1. My question is can it spread from her genitals to my genitals?

Secondly, if using condoms and antivirals, what would be the percentage of contacting HSV1 from her after those first 3 months of shedding is finished?

[DukeMcNasty]

Then my addition 3 questions are:
1. since the outbreak was in her genitals, can she spread HSV1 with her mouth? (i.e. is it safe to still kiss her and for her to give me oral?)

2. If I were to give her oral and contract HSV1 from her genitals to my mouth, I would then be HSV1 positive with outbreaks only in my oral region. If this were to happen, would I then be “inoculated” from getting HSV1 in my genitals if we were to continue to have intercourse?

3. Would additional skin protection like latex underwear offer more protection from transmission if used with a condom?

[Terri Warren]

A follow up question for you, and sorry if this is a stupid question. HSV1 is transmitted orally, from oral to genital and that’s how someone gets GHSV1. My question is can it spread from her genitals to my genitals?
That is possible, yes, but rarely happens.

Secondly, if using condoms and antivirals, what would be the percentage of contracting HSV1 from her after those first 3 months of shedding is finished?
We don’t have that data, but I would say less than 4% per year, surely

since the outbreak was in her genitals, can she spread HSV1 with her mouth? (i.e. is it safe to still kiss her and for her to give me oral?)
If her infection is only genital, then it is safe to kiss and for her to give you oral sex.

Remember that the IgG test for HSV 1 misses 30% of HSV 1 infections compared to the western blot

Terri

2. If I were to give her oral and contract HSV1 from her genitals to my mouth, I would then be HSV1 positive with outbreaks only in my oral region. If this were to happen, would I then be “inoculated” from getting HSV1 in my genitals if we were to continue to have intercourse?
Yes, essentially, after your oral infection was well established orally (4 months in)

3. Would additional skin protection like latex underwear offer more protection from transmission if used with a condom?
well, maybe.

Terri

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