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Genital HSV-1 Transmission
About a year ago I discovered I was given genital HSV-1 by someone who didn't feel the need to mention that they had it, coincidently it was the first time I had ever had unprotected sex and only the second person I have ever had intercourse with. I have only had one outbreak, which was the primary outbreak, since then I have had no symptoms or signs of a second outbreak. I now have a new partner and have told him of my affliction, he is understanding of the situation but I am afraid to become intimate with him, I do not want to give him this infection because I know that it has caused strain on my life and would not want to do that to anyone else. We are aware of some of the risks but I was wondering if we use a condom and I have no signs of an outbreak, what is the risk of spreading genital HSV-1 to him? Also, if I were to give him oral sex, even though I have never had a "fever blister" would that pass on the infection as well? I'm sorry, I'm horribly confused. Thank you.
even if you do have it orally, it's not going to be transmitted with the first kiss or anything! it really isn't that contagious.
he's still not likely to contract your hsv1 genital infection. you need to decide together what precautions you want to take in your relationship.
grace
he's still not likely to contract your hsv1 genital infection. you need to decide together what precautions you want to take in your relationship.
grace
Results came back, he tested negative for HSV. Since we have kissed I guess that means I am not transferring it orally, but I'm thinking now it makes it easier for him to get it genitally from me? Perhaps? The lady at the clinic just told him that HSV-1 doesn't spread to often and a condom would minimize but not completely erase the possibility of transmission...I would feel horrible if I gave it to him, just horrible.
Have you checked out the herpes handbook yet at www.westoverheights.com? It's a free resource and filled with terrific info on both hsv1 and hsv2 genitally ( though certainly more info in it applies to hsv2 ). It's good for both of you to read thru.
Unless you get obvious cold sores to know that you also have hsv1 orally, no way to know if you also have it orally or not. The few studies we have on it showed that anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who contracted hsv1 genitally, also had it orally too. If your partner is hsv1 negative, it's worth both of you discussing whether he wants to have protected oral sex or not. If you do have it orally, you can transmit it thru kissing too.
Hsv1 genitally only sheds on average about 2 weeks out of the year. The odds of having sex on any of those days you are actively shedding without obvious symptoms is on the low side. If your partner already has hsv1 too, he's very unlikely to contract hsv1 genitally but still avoid sex anytime you have anything going on genitally to err on the sid eof caution.
You really are not a walking biohazzard I assure you :) 1 out of every 2-3 people you know has hsv1 orally which sheds far more than hsv1 genitally does. it's THAT common of a viral infection!
grace
Unless you get obvious cold sores to know that you also have hsv1 orally, no way to know if you also have it orally or not. The few studies we have on it showed that anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who contracted hsv1 genitally, also had it orally too. If your partner is hsv1 negative, it's worth both of you discussing whether he wants to have protected oral sex or not. If you do have it orally, you can transmit it thru kissing too.
Hsv1 genitally only sheds on average about 2 weeks out of the year. The odds of having sex on any of those days you are actively shedding without obvious symptoms is on the low side. If your partner already has hsv1 too, he's very unlikely to contract hsv1 genitally but still avoid sex anytime you have anything going on genitally to err on the sid eof caution.
You really are not a walking biohazzard I assure you :) 1 out of every 2-3 people you know has hsv1 orally which sheds far more than hsv1 genitally does. it's THAT common of a viral infection!
grace
First off, thank you Grace. So if I have zero signs of an ob and use a condom the risk of transmission to him is low but not impossible? And since I have HSV1 genitally can I pass it through my saliva or only through genital contact? We are still in a relationship despite the herpes and despite the fact that I am scared to get intimate. The reason I am scared is because if we don't last forever and I transmit it to him, he will be in the same pickle I am in now, wondering if he can ever spread it to his next partner. I just don't want things to end and he has to limit himself because of this. Overly concerned I guess.
Most adults have hsv1 orally but only 20-40% of them ever get cold sores to know it. He most certainly needs tested to know his status because if he happens to have hsv2, you'd need to take precautions to protect yourself from it!
Your hsv1 genital infection doesn't shed much at all. Unless you get obvious cold sores too, no way to know if you also have it orally or not. Once you know his hsv status, you can discuss whether to have protected oral sex or not too in this relationship.
1 out of every 2-3 adults has hsv1 orally. We don't have good stats on how many have hsv1 genitally but it's the cause of a 1/3 of all genital herpes infections so it's a good many at this point. He's not very likely to meet someone who doesn't have hsv1 in some area. If you two are otherwise attracted to each other why would you not have a relationship because of herpes?
grace
Your hsv1 genital infection doesn't shed much at all. Unless you get obvious cold sores too, no way to know if you also have it orally or not. Once you know his hsv status, you can discuss whether to have protected oral sex or not too in this relationship.
1 out of every 2-3 adults has hsv1 orally. We don't have good stats on how many have hsv1 genitally but it's the cause of a 1/3 of all genital herpes infections so it's a good many at this point. He's not very likely to meet someone who doesn't have hsv1 in some area. If you two are otherwise attracted to each other why would you not have a relationship because of herpes?
grace
I went to the doctor when I noticed bumps and a burning in my genital area. She took a urine and tissue sample and said that I was most likely infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus, she gave me acyclovoir and the outbreak was healed in about 4 days. Then I recieved confirmation from her that it was HSV 1 and not 2, as we had initially thought. No he has not had a herpes test, and he said he has never had a cold sore or fever blister. Should I just forget the whole thing and not become intimate with him? Even if right now he is okay with the fact/risk he is still young and this might not last forever, I don't want to put a damper on his life after me.
Has your partner been tested to know his own herpes status? If not, he needs to get tested.
How were you diagnosed as having hsv1 genitally?
The herpes virus sheds from the area of the lesions as well as from the entire anogenital area. It also sheds from the anogenital area periodically in between obvious symptoms. A condom reduces the risk of transmission from about 30-50% on average.
grace
How were you diagnosed as having hsv1 genitally?
The herpes virus sheds from the area of the lesions as well as from the entire anogenital area. It also sheds from the anogenital area periodically in between obvious symptoms. A condom reduces the risk of transmission from about 30-50% on average.
grace
Using a condom will protect him so long as your outbreaks are within the coverage of the condom and you avoid sex during outbreaks, however if he already has Oral HSV1 it's unlikley it will affect him Genitally too ..... you should ask him if he's ever had a cold sore on his face or mouth if so then the likelyhood of it changing site is low ..... it is possible to have HSV1 both orally and genitally but it's not a common thing at all .....
Daisy
Daisy
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
