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Clarification needed for peace of mind over HSV1 (Oral)
To Terry Warren:
I have gone through a lot of steps investigating HSV1 (oral) with Betsy/Grace, Freddo, and mIstakeguy. My wife is worried over HSV1 and the fear that she could cause a death through Herpes Encephalitis if she transmits HSV1 (cold sores) to family and/or others at Church. She has never had any sign of a cold sore but is rather concerned about Subtle Symptoms. I have never had a cold sore yet a recent igg test showed a number of 1 for HSV1 which I understand is very low. I hope you can clarify the contradictions that have been found during our research of the following issues regarding oral HSV1:
1st are subtle symptoms contagious with the HSV1(Oral) virus? Do subtle symptoms develop into an identifiable cold sore? Can self-inoculation occur via a subtle symptom?
2nd If auto-inoculation happens to occur, will that site recur and be contagious during an outbreak that follows the primary episode?
3rd how long is the period of HSV1 (Oral) incubation plus the primary episode?
4th while we understand that the fingers/hand may accidentally pick up the virus and potentially spread it, can the hands shed? Is handshaking or even hand holding, as in joining hands in a circle, a risk for transmission?
5th can saliva cause self-inoculation?
6th Is air exhaled from the nose a means of transmission regardless of whether one is an asymptomatic or a symptomatic carrier?
Your help with clear answers will be greatly appreciated.
I have gone through a lot of steps investigating HSV1 (oral) with Betsy/Grace, Freddo, and mIstakeguy. My wife is worried over HSV1 and the fear that she could cause a death through Herpes Encephalitis if she transmits HSV1 (cold sores) to family and/or others at Church. She has never had any sign of a cold sore but is rather concerned about Subtle Symptoms. I have never had a cold sore yet a recent igg test showed a number of 1 for HSV1 which I understand is very low. I hope you can clarify the contradictions that have been found during our research of the following issues regarding oral HSV1:
1st are subtle symptoms contagious with the HSV1(Oral) virus? Do subtle symptoms develop into an identifiable cold sore? Can self-inoculation occur via a subtle symptom?
2nd If auto-inoculation happens to occur, will that site recur and be contagious during an outbreak that follows the primary episode?
3rd how long is the period of HSV1 (Oral) incubation plus the primary episode?
4th while we understand that the fingers/hand may accidentally pick up the virus and potentially spread it, can the hands shed? Is handshaking or even hand holding, as in joining hands in a circle, a risk for transmission?
5th can saliva cause self-inoculation?
6th Is air exhaled from the nose a means of transmission regardless of whether one is an asymptomatic or a symptomatic carrier?
Your help with clear answers will be greatly appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I will try to answer your six questions, as best I can, but this is difficult because I have no idea if she is infected or not!
1st are subtle symptoms contagious with the HSV1(Oral) virus? Do subtle symptoms develop into an identifiable cold sore? Can self-inoculation occur via a subtle symptom?
Oral herpes can be contagious both with and without symptoms. Sometimes subtle symptoms develop into a sore, and sometimes they don't, the outbreak is aborted. Once infection is established and an immune response is made, autoinoculation is extremely rare.
2nd If auto-inoculation happens to occur, will that site recur and be contagious during an outbreak that follows the primary episode?
If is does occur, then yes, this site will also recur.
3rd how long is the period of HSV1 (Oral) incubation plus the primary episode?
If symptoms are going to show up, and sometimes they do and sometimes they don't, the normal time is 2-10 days from infection. The primary episode can last 1-3 weeks.
4th while we understand that the fingers/hand may accidentally pick up the virus and potentially spread it, can the hands shed? Is handshaking or even hand holding, as in joining hands in a circle, a risk for transmission?
Hands don't shed asymptomatically if they are infected. the skin is too thick. No handshaking or hand holding is not a risk for transmission
5th can saliva cause self-inoculation?
Autoinoculation happens during first infection. I supposed during first infection, one could spread virus to other parts of their body through saliva, but that seems highly unlikely.
6th Is air exhaled from the nose a means of transmission regardless of whether one is an asymptomatic or a symptomatic carrier?
No
Terri
1st are subtle symptoms contagious with the HSV1(Oral) virus? Do subtle symptoms develop into an identifiable cold sore? Can self-inoculation occur via a subtle symptom?
Oral herpes can be contagious both with and without symptoms. Sometimes subtle symptoms develop into a sore, and sometimes they don't, the outbreak is aborted. Once infection is established and an immune response is made, autoinoculation is extremely rare.
2nd If auto-inoculation happens to occur, will that site recur and be contagious during an outbreak that follows the primary episode?
If is does occur, then yes, this site will also recur.
3rd how long is the period of HSV1 (Oral) incubation plus the primary episode?
If symptoms are going to show up, and sometimes they do and sometimes they don't, the normal time is 2-10 days from infection. The primary episode can last 1-3 weeks.
4th while we understand that the fingers/hand may accidentally pick up the virus and potentially spread it, can the hands shed? Is handshaking or even hand holding, as in joining hands in a circle, a risk for transmission?
Hands don't shed asymptomatically if they are infected. the skin is too thick. No handshaking or hand holding is not a risk for transmission
5th can saliva cause self-inoculation?
Autoinoculation happens during first infection. I supposed during first infection, one could spread virus to other parts of their body through saliva, but that seems highly unlikely.
6th Is air exhaled from the nose a means of transmission regardless of whether one is an asymptomatic or a symptomatic carrier?
No
Terri
A related discussion, cheek-to-cheek and HSV1 was started.
Wow! That's the first time in all the research we've done that tears and nares are mentioned as means of shedding HSV 1. Did you mean that the shedding via the nasal nares was from the presence of a Lesion or did you mean that air breathed through the nose carries the virus in contradiction to your previous answer to my 6th item?
I believe you are speaking of shedding when ocular and nasal situation occur but, alas, I guess I'll never know since you have said no more responses to this thread. Sorry about that. You have helped clear some technical issues up. Thanks.
MrDonut: aka Larry
I believe you are speaking of shedding when ocular and nasal situation occur but, alas, I guess I'll never know since you have said no more responses to this thread. Sorry about that. You have helped clear some technical issues up. Thanks.
MrDonut: aka Larry
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
People who have HSV 1 can shed from the mouth, the lips, in tears, from the nares of the nose.
Mr. Donut, this is my very last response on this thread. '
Terri
Mr. Donut, this is my very last response on this thread. '
Terri
Terri, I forgot to put question marks for these two items. "I wondered if Asymptomatics who have no clue that they have the virus do not autoinoculate because at some point the incubation stops before it can reach cold sore development because the person has a strong immune system?"
"A literal interpretation of your answer "the person who has never had symptoms can shed virus" means that the only place they shed is at the oral labial?" Have I identified the ONLY place people shed based on your response?
Does your book cover HSV1 Oral?
MrDonut
"A literal interpretation of your answer "the person who has never had symptoms can shed virus" means that the only place they shed is at the oral labial?" Have I identified the ONLY place people shed based on your response?
Does your book cover HSV1 Oral?
MrDonut
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm sure you know your wife better than anyone else, Mr. Donut. I hope she feels better soon.
I do find it nteresting that she is worried about killing people with oral herpes but is unwilling to test to find out if that is even something she needs to concern herself with, don't you?
Terri
I do find it nteresting that she is worried about killing people with oral herpes but is unwilling to test to find out if that is even something she needs to concern herself with, don't you?
Terri
It sounds like some issues should be accepted as real because it is stated by experts but don't try to get down to why does or doesn't something happen. Clarifying answers are extremely helpful. Autoinoculation=selfinoculation. I wondered if Asymptomatics who have no clue that they have the virus do not autoinoculate because at some point the incubation stops before it can reach cold sore development because the person has a strong immune system.
A literal interpretation of your answer "the person who has never had symptoms can shed virus" means that the only place they shed is at the oral labial.
My wife is a very literal person. When a literal person encounters contradictory and or partial information they have to ask questions to clarify the discrepancies so they will then know what the right thing is to do. I don't doubt that you have had difficulty making sense of the on-line exchanges due to the grammatical and spelling errors in the postings. In my own haste I have slipped up on a word or two and I have a graduate degree and a year of post graduate study beyond my two degrees.
I am sorry everyone gets wrapped up in the issue of my wife's possible mental health issues. I can assure you that having degrees in Pastoral Care and Theology I have seen how the clear answers have reduced my wife's level of anxiety. Believe me my education and vocation lead me to be very concerned over issues of possible guilt, just like you deal with in your responses, about the results of one's actions whether intentional or accidental.
I do thank you for the answers you did provide.
A literal interpretation of your answer "the person who has never had symptoms can shed virus" means that the only place they shed is at the oral labial.
My wife is a very literal person. When a literal person encounters contradictory and or partial information they have to ask questions to clarify the discrepancies so they will then know what the right thing is to do. I don't doubt that you have had difficulty making sense of the on-line exchanges due to the grammatical and spelling errors in the postings. In my own haste I have slipped up on a word or two and I have a graduate degree and a year of post graduate study beyond my two degrees.
I am sorry everyone gets wrapped up in the issue of my wife's possible mental health issues. I can assure you that having degrees in Pastoral Care and Theology I have seen how the clear answers have reduced my wife's level of anxiety. Believe me my education and vocation lead me to be very concerned over issues of possible guilt, just like you deal with in your responses, about the results of one's actions whether intentional or accidental.
I do thank you for the answers you did provide.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't fully understand the question "do they not selfinoculate due to their primary infection never producing cold sores?" I'm not sure I even know what you mean by self inoculate.
The person who has never had symptoms can shed virus.
I would strongly suggest that you wife be tested. If she is positive, then she can live with the belief that she already holds, but if she is negative, she can relax.
As a person who also holds a master's degree in counseling, I think it is safe to say that your wife's fears of killing someone through oral HSV 1 asymptomatic viral shedding is very pathologic indeed. In cases such as this, trying to make sense of such concerns through this type of reasonable scientific discussion doen't work very well.
This will be my last post on this thread.
Terri
The person who has never had symptoms can shed virus.
I would strongly suggest that you wife be tested. If she is positive, then she can live with the belief that she already holds, but if she is negative, she can relax.
As a person who also holds a master's degree in counseling, I think it is safe to say that your wife's fears of killing someone through oral HSV 1 asymptomatic viral shedding is very pathologic indeed. In cases such as this, trying to make sense of such concerns through this type of reasonable scientific discussion doen't work very well.
This will be my last post on this thread.
Terri
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your clear and very helpful answers. Now to tweak a couple of the Q & A, please.
Given: autoinoculation is rare, and asymptomatic carriers do not selfinoculate, do they not selfinoculate due to their primary infection never producing cold sores?
Please expand on the issue of contagion "with or without symptoms." I understand that the symptomatic carrier can/will shed during a prodrome (tingling, etc. but no cold sore) as well as shedding through saliva when no Cold Sore appears. Does the the same hold true for the person who never has any signs of HSV1 presence and is therefore Asymptomatic or is that person's shedding limited to saliva?
So much of the literature published about the various Herpes Simplex situation focuses on genital infections. Does your book focus on HSV1 (oral) as well as HSV2?
My wife shows no signs of HSV. She is, however, terrorized over the prospect that she could possibly infect someone which might lead to their death via herpes encephalitis.
Thank you, again, for your super job of answering the 6 questions.
MrDonut
Given: autoinoculation is rare, and asymptomatic carriers do not selfinoculate, do they not selfinoculate due to their primary infection never producing cold sores?
Please expand on the issue of contagion "with or without symptoms." I understand that the symptomatic carrier can/will shed during a prodrome (tingling, etc. but no cold sore) as well as shedding through saliva when no Cold Sore appears. Does the the same hold true for the person who never has any signs of HSV1 presence and is therefore Asymptomatic or is that person's shedding limited to saliva?
So much of the literature published about the various Herpes Simplex situation focuses on genital infections. Does your book focus on HSV1 (oral) as well as HSV2?
My wife shows no signs of HSV. She is, however, terrorized over the prospect that she could possibly infect someone which might lead to their death via herpes encephalitis.
Thank you, again, for your super job of answering the 6 questions.
MrDonut
Sorry I have messed this up, again, all that matters to us is an accurate clarification of the 6 points.
I assumed you had access to grace and mistakenguy's feed back on the free forum side.
MrDonut
I assumed you had access to grace and mistakenguy's feed back on the free forum side.
MrDonut
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm sorry, but I am still confused. You test positive for HSV 1 and she has not been tested, is that correct? Do you have a history of cold sores? Why doesn't she just get tested? I don't think it is reasonable to assume if you are infected that she is infected, not at all! Couples can remain discordant for herpes infections for years! So can you tell me if you know that you are infected? I have no idea about your wife's need for counseling, but it does sound rather odd that she fears killing someone with HSV 1 when she doesn't even know if she has it or not, would you not agree?
Terri
Terri
Thank you for answering. There was a complication when I posted.
My wife has not been tested. The assumption is that at our age if I am positive she is most like positive and we are both really asymptomatic. We are seeking clarification of the 6 points. The vast amount of postings on these questions usually leave out information that results in uncertainty. When I posted my understandings in a way that was asking if my understanding was correct please confirm my point. Too often that method created confusion and resulted in further questions which led to recommendation that my wife needs professional counseling. I recently was seeking to get the issue of subtle symptoms settled and my Google results hit my own posts on Asha's Herpes, and MedHelp.
Regarding questions 2 & 5 those pertain to actual HSV1 lesion not subtle symptoms.
MrDonut (should I use my real name?)
My wife has not been tested. The assumption is that at our age if I am positive she is most like positive and we are both really asymptomatic. We are seeking clarification of the 6 points. The vast amount of postings on these questions usually leave out information that results in uncertainty. When I posted my understandings in a way that was asking if my understanding was correct please confirm my point. Too often that method created confusion and resulted in further questions which led to recommendation that my wife needs professional counseling. I recently was seeking to get the issue of subtle symptoms settled and my Google results hit my own posts on Asha's Herpes, and MedHelp.
Regarding questions 2 & 5 those pertain to actual HSV1 lesion not subtle symptoms.
MrDonut (should I use my real name?)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm confused. And also sorry that this post somehow got lost and I didn't see it earlier.
Does your wife test positive for HSV 1 infection? Let's get that answered before we go much farther, because I don't fully understand your circumstance.
Terri
Does your wife test positive for HSV 1 infection? Let's get that answered before we go much farther, because I don't fully understand your circumstance.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
