type I oral herpes and auto-genital contamination

Doctor Rockof,

I have a type I oral herpes (diagnosed 10 years ago,blisters shows up at least 1/year). I never infected my girlfriend: we have been dating for 8 years. She had blood tests confirming she has never been exposed to herpes 3 weeks ago.

I have had non-protected sexual relations with another girl for more than a year now. A month ago, she announced me that she had genital herpes breakout that her doctor confirmed with a culture (positive), and  blood test showing she has been recently infected (high IgM, no IgG)

As she did not have sex with anyone else than me over the past 3 years, her doctor concluded that I might have infected her (oral-genital contacts). I had an oral breakout 15 days before her genital breakout, and I performed oral sex on her at this period (when my blisters were almost gone)

At the time she informed me of this genital breakout, I had no genital symptoms . I saw my doctor who did not see anything abnormal, did 2 cultures at 4 days interval that were negative (he un-specifically swabbed my genital area), and did a blood test (showed  I have type I herpes-not surprising as I have oral breakouts)
He advised to use condoms in the future with my

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I agree that your redness and itching are from worry and not herpes.  I don't believe you can be "recontaminated" elsewhere.  If we could recontaminate ourselves, then everyone with herpes anywhere who takes a shower and washes would be covered with herpes.  I therefore agree with the dermatologist who said that if you "have type I oral herpes with regular breakouts, it is very unlikely to get the same type I herpes in [your] genitals."  For the same reason I don't think you are genitally contagious, so you shouldn't need condoms (unless you have sex with someone else and contract something else.)

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[NSN]

Hi there,

It may be unlikely to get HSV1 in the genitals if you already have it orally but it can happen.  I know someone personally who experienced this.  I'm not saying I think you've been infected in your genitals, but it can happen.

You should inform your girlfriend that's not infected of your oral HSV1 status.  HSV1 causes 30% of new genital cases.  You can also take anti-virals for suppression which will reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Good luck.

[charly1]

Thank you for the information,

just one question: does the person you know and who experienced this (type I orally and genitally) has had genital breakouts with clear blisters or only "silent breakouts" that are difficult to identify?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Charles.

[dreamer1119]

A related discussion, herpes was started.