HSV TYPE 1 ON GENITALS

[JOA412]

I FOUND A RED SPOT WITH A VERY SMALL BREAK IN THE SKIN, JUST BELOW THE HEAD OF MY PENIS. I SUSPECTED SOME TYPE OF YEAST INFECTION AND MY GIRLFREIND AGREED THATS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE. I FELT NO PAIN OR ITCHING, BUT I DECIDED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND GET IT LOOKED AT. THE DOCTOR SAID IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HERPES, AND SAID IT DID IN FACT LOOK MORE LIKE YEAST. HE DID TAKE A CULTURE TO BE SURE, AND THE TEST CAME BACK POSITVE FOR HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 1. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE DOCTOR TO GET MY RESULTS, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TEST CAME BACK POSITIVE FOR GENITAL HERPES, AND EXPLAINED STEPS I SHOULD TAKE IN THE FUTURE AND SO ON. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD I DEAL WITH THIS THE SAME WAY, AS ONE WOULD WITH GENITAL HERPES TYPE 2 WHEN TALKING TOO FUTURE PARTNERS? MANY PEOPLE HAVE TYPE 1, I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE IT ON MY GENITALS. IF I WERE TO HAVE ANOTHER OUTBREAK, WOULD IT BE CONFINED TO THE SAME AREA, OR MOVE ABOVE THE WAIST WERE TYPE 1 IS SUPOSSED TO CUASE AN OUTBREAK? MY GIRLFRIEND DOES HAVE COLDSORES, I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE. I'M THINKING THIS WAS TRASMMITED DURING ORAL SEX.

[Scorpio1024]

A related discussion, Concerned was started.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It may have been.  When it occurs on the penis, herpes type 1 is basically the same as herpes type 2, only it recurs somewhat less often on average.  Still, you'll want to use condoms, avoid sex when the herpes recurs, and tell future partners that you are taking these precautions.  If the herpes recurs, it is likely to be in pretty much the same area.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[worried710]

You are probably correct in thinking it was transmitted via oral sex.  Your girlfriend may have had the beginning or ending of a cold sore while giving you oral sex, at which time the virus is still transmittable.  The good news is that most people with HSV 1 on the genitals experience far fewer outbreaks than those with HSV2.  Many have their first outbreak and then never have one again.  If you do have another outbreak, it will be below your waist still, although it is possile that you may eventually have an outbreak around your mouth because your girlfriend has cold sores, and you no doubt kiss her.  Since you had the first outbreak below though, you may have been autoinocculated against any outbreaks on other parts of your body.  I know I'm not the doctor, but I've read around here enough to pick up some information.

[worried710]

You would still need to inform future partners before sexual activity.  You will still be able to transmit it genitally to a new partner.