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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
type I oral herpes and auto-genital contamination
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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type I oral herpes and auto-genital contamination
by charly1, Dec 09, 2003 12:00AM
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 ‘ official ‘ girlfriend, because she is not infected: He said that the girl I infected through oral-genital contacts may have ‘re-contaminated’ me in my genitals as we had sex one day before her symptoms. He also said that he couldn’t check if I am infected in my genital area (can only be verified if I have symptoms in the future). Since then, the 6 following days, I checked my genitals several times/day, I did not feel anything but It started to itch moderately (all the penis, testicles). I red articles on the Internet about non-symptomatic genital herpes,I think this was the reason of my worries. I went back to my doctor who told me that there is no genital herpes, but only mild erythema: he said it is psychosomatic and that I can go see a derm. 5 days later, it became worse, like rash, I went to see a Derm. as I had rash symptoms. he told me there is no genital herpes, it is erythema and psychosomatic, gave me denoside and said that herpes should get worse under this drug, but that he doubts, as I never had genital symptoms.He added that if I have type I oral herpes with regular breakouts, it is very unlikely to get the same type I herpes in my genitals.
I used denoside, and noticed improvement. I called another derm who confirmed. Could you confirm?
This being said:
1-Considering that I already have type I oral herpes with oral breakouts (1x/year), Can I have been ‘re-contaminated’ by the same type I virus in my genital area ?
2-Can I be contagious in my genital area if I never noticed anything there?
3-More specifically, do I have to use condoms with my regular girlfriend, considering that we have been together for 8 years and that I never infected her with genital/genital contacts?
Thank you!
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 ‘ official ‘ girlfriend, because she is not infected: He said that the girl I infected through oral-genital contacts may have ‘re-contaminated’ me in my genitals as we had sex one day before her symptoms. He also said that he couldn’t check if I am infected in my genital area (can only be verified if I have symptoms in the future). Since then, the 6 following days, I checked my genitals several times/day, I did not feel anything but It started to itch moderately (all the penis, testicles). I red articles on the Internet about non-symptomatic genital herpes,I think this was the reason of my worries. I went back to my doctor who told me that there is no genital herpes, but only mild erythema: he said it is psychosomatic and that I can go see a derm. 5 days later, it became worse, like rash, I went to see a Derm. as I had rash symptoms. he told me there is no genital herpes, it is erythema and psychosomatic, gave me denoside and said that herpes should get worse under this drug, but that he doubts, as I never had genital symptoms.He added that if I have type I oral herpes with regular breakouts, it is very unlikely to get the same type I herpes in my genitals.
I used denoside, and noticed improvement. I called another derm who confirmed. Could you confirm?
This being said:
1-Considering that I already have type I oral herpes with oral breakouts (1x/year), Can I have been ‘re-contaminated’ by the same type I virus in my genital area ?
2-Can I be contagious in my genital area if I never noticed anything there?
3-More specifically, do I have to use condoms with my regular girlfriend, considering that we have been together for 8 years and that I never infected her with genital/genital contacts?
Thank you!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 10, 2003 12:00AM
, Dec 10, 2003 12:00AM
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
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
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.
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.