Yes, the research we have about oral HSV 2 is in subjects who have HSV 2 genitally as well. So that’s why my numbers to you are not consistent with the literature. I am not aware of any literature about the person who has HSV 2 orally only and shedding rates. It is true that HSV 2 does not like the mouth and certainly does recur less often there and sheds less often from there. Outbreaks in the future could be anywhere innervated by the trigeminal nerve – basically the face, including the eyes. It could look like a cold sore for sure on the outside of the lips or could stay internal. I think you’ll just have to wait and see. Yes, future outbreaks will likely last a shorter time and be less noticeable. And yes I think if you were going to have genital symptoms you would by now. However, I don’t think we can say with 100% certainty that you don’t have it genitally though it I think it is unlikely.
It is possible to transmit herpes virus when symptoms are present and when they are not present, due do asymptomatic viral shedding.
If you had previous antibody testing done and no new contacts in between, then I don’t think an antibody test now will be useful, especially three weeks later.
I don’t know how long to avoid deep kissing really, maybe four months? Most people have mounted a sound immune response by four months, so that’s why I am picking that number. It is a guess.
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Terri
I think HSV 2 oral infection transmission is less common because of the low shedding rate, and not anything mechanical.