1) Is it a pretty safe bet that she has genital HSV 1 because of having contracted it from oral sex being performed on her? I’m not really in contact with her anymore, and I’m trying to avoid an awkward call asking what type of strain she has after not having spoken in 5 weeks. If necessary I would do that though.
Yes, I would say it is quite a sure bet that if she contracted herpes from receiving oral sex that it is HSV 1. I don’t think you need to ask her.
2) Does this type of groin soreness sound like herpes to you? Do you see this type of groin soreness in the absence of “classic” herpes symptoms such as sores and blisters, resulting in a herpes diagnosis often?
No, we really don’t see the kind of symptoms that you are describing as a first infection with herpes in the absence of sores.
3) Does this sound like a prodrome symptom to you? Can prodrome symptoms go on for weeks or months before an outbreak of blisters occurs, or is it less likely to be herpes the longer the pain/so-called-prodrome lasts?
No, this sounds nothing like prodrome to me. This is lasting very long for prodrome. Normally, we see prodrome for a couple of days, rarely much longer.
4) What is the ratio of people with herpes who are asymptomatic to those who have symptoms? Do most people who know they have herpes exhibit no symptoms?
For HSV 2, of those infected, 80% are unaware and That they are infected so it is very common to have herpes but be unaware of having symptoms associated with that disease.
I think it is important for you to know that the likelihood of contracting HSV 1 when you already have a history of cold sores is very very small. The immune response that you have developed on your own will protect you from getting infected at the new location. In all my years of practice I have only seen one instance where a patient with a known history of cold sores acquiring HSV one genitally and even in that instance I think the history of cold sores was questionable. If indeed this person you had sex with has HSV 1 genitally then I think you do not need to worry about contracting that infection your self genitally.
Please feel free to ask me more questions about your situation as you feel the need.
Terri