Genital HSV-1 Transmission - beating the odds

I have read so much of this forum, and so much is being said about how LOW the risk of spreading genital HSV-1, but I'm here to tell you all, that it happens.  It happened to me.  I acquired HSV-1 from my partner.  He had HSV-1 on his lip, he performed oral sex on me (cunnilingus), and I got a bad bout of herpes in my genital area.  I only had ONE initial break-out, and never had a break-out again.  I thought it was done and over with.  2 years later, I had unprotected sex with another partner, and he contracted genital HSV-1 from me.  As LOW as all the odds keep stating, I (a female) transmitted genital HSV-1 to my partner (a male).  My question is - what am I supposed to do from here?  I am on acyclovir 400mg BID, I have tested for HSV-1 antibodies, and my antibody titer has lowered from 3.43 to 1.57 or so...does the lowered antibody titer mean a less infectivity potential?  How much protection am I getting from the acyclovir from asymptomatic shedding.  It so worries me because I NEVER get breakouts, I NEVER have symptoms, but obviously, I have transmitted the virus.  Genital HSV-1 doesn't bother ME at all, as I never get any symptoms or breakouts, I'm just worried about spreading the virus, asymptomatic shedding...


This discussion is related to HSV 1 Genitally: Shedding and Transmission.

[gracefromHHP]

you posted on someone else's post on the std expert forum so it was bumped off over to here.

did you ever perform unprotected oral sex on your partner?   You don't have to have obvious cold sores to transmit oral herpes to the genital area and anywhere from 1/4 -2/3's of folks who contract hsv1 genitally, also have it orally. Unfortunately it's something not many forums talk about to get folks to consider that they might also have hsv1 orally and discuss with a partner what precautions to take for oral sex too :(  regardless, yes you can transmit hsv1 from genitals to genitals too. it's a very low risk due to the fact that on average hsv1 genitally doesn't shed very often but sometimes you really do just have that bad of luck :(    even though you only ever had 1 ob, the virus still periodically reoccurs and causes shedding of the virus on the skin even if no obvious lesions are present.

the changes in your igg results are meaningless. you aren't any less contagious with a lower igg result.  

we don't know if daily suppressive therapy reduces transmission of hsv1 either, either orally or genitally. we don't have studies on it.

grace