1. Although my symptoms seem consistent with HSV 2, is there any chance of false positives and similar symptoms due to a yeast infection? (I was on antibiotics for a sinus infection at the time, and was given a prescription to eliminate a yeast infection at the same time as first-time outbreak antivirals) I don’t know what kind of test was done except a swab was used in the area: the results that were sent to me merely said that I tested positive for HSV 2 and negative for HSV 1.
Are you absolutely certain that your had a swab test not a blood test for herpes? If yes, and the swab was positive for HSV 2, then you have HSV 2. You may also have yeast and his symptoms sound more like yeast than herpes. But the swab test is the key for you. Has he now been tested for HSV 2?
Like many people, this diagnosis has been devastating, and I don’t want to pass the virus and I want to give future partners as much information as I can. My questions for future sexual relationships are:
2. What are the chances of me transmitting HSV 2 to a non-infected partner if having intercourse with a condom and on antivirals? (I went through my initial 10-day antivirals, and now take them daily, and have for about a week).
The odds, having sex twice per week with no symptoms, on antiviral therapy daily, using condoms, and you disclose to a partner, are about 1-2 in 100 in a year.
3. What is the likelihood of me giving a partner HSV 2 from unprotected oral sex (female giving oral sex to a male)? Assuming you don’t have it orally, zero.
4. If giving unprotected oral sex to a male with genital HSV 2, what is the chance of me developing sores on my mouth now that I’ve had a genital HSV 2 oubreak, even if the sex isn’t with my original partner?
Very close to zero again. Once you have herpes in one location on your body, after the infection has been well established, you are extremely unlikely to get it in a new location
5. If giving oral sex to a male with HSV 1, what is the chance of developing sores on my mouth?
Again, very close to zero. People who have HSV 2 appear to be protected against HSV 1.
6. Do people only shed from the location where they have had sores, or could a person who has only had sores genitally also shed orally?
No, you shed only in the nerve group that is infected, so for you gentially and anally.
7. So if they have had an outbreak on their genitals and never had oral outbreak, can they still shed from their mouth?
If they were only infected genitally, yes. Sometimes people give oral sex to and have intercourse with the same person so both areas are infected.
8. If I’ve had an HSV 2 genital outbreak and test positive for HSV 2, is it possible for me to give herpes to someone through kissing or sharing glasses?
NO
9. If I have HSV 2 genitally, do I have any immunity from getting HSV 1, and if I get HSV 1, what are the chances of not developing symptoms?
Yes you do, see above.
10. How easy is it to spread HSV 1 or HSV 2 from my toilet seat or if someone were to accidentally use by towel?
Not easy at all. Herpes is not spread through toilet seats and there are no documented cases of transmission through warm wet towels, but I do suggest that people have their own towels.
11. Also, how easy is it to spread HSV 2 from a genital site to another site on the body during an outbreak?
After about 4 months, again, very close to zero. You need to get a nice immune response mounted, and that takes about 4 months to be fully in place
12. How easy is to spread not during an outbreak? I saw my doctor and she said the sores have healed, and while I don’s see anything that looks like a sore, I always feel itchy and don’t know how to tell if I’m about to have another outbreak or how contagious I would be.
Herpes can be definitely be transmitted when there are no outbreaks, even if you don’t itch. One antiviral therapy, that risk is reduced but no zero. During this early period of infection you are in, you shed more and are likely more contagious than you would be, say a year or two from now.
Please let me know if you have other questions. I know you are struggling emotionally right now, also.
Terri