HSV-1, No History of Cold Sores or Fever Blisters

[curiousgrl]

Hi people. I am HSV-1 positive. But I have never had any oral manifestations of it. No cold sores or fever blisters that I can remember. I'm 20 years old. I do occasionally get a canker sore but nothing nasty looking. Is there still a possibility I can pass it to my boyfriend by kissing him? Even though I have no outward appearances of HSV-1? I've heard it is VERY common, most of the world's population has it and I probably got it from kissing someone who had it and didn't know. Please help with my questions.

[ShereeSheree]

I’m going thru the same thing I jus got tested for it by blood and it came back positive could be a false test I’m nervous as well and I did not get no outbreaks ever in life I had type 1 & I don’t have any sore or lesions problem you should Gmail me tianna.***@****

[gracefromHHP]

The handbook is very accurate and has been constantly updated for almost 20 years now I believe by one of the top herpes researchers in the US ( who also is a good friend of HHH's and he always recommends the site too for more info ). The shedding %'s come from an as of yet unpublished study by Dr Anna Wald  - who is probably one of the top 5 herpes researchers in the US.

grace

[slacker101]

I kind of think if HSV1 is so easy to transmit and 60% of the world already has it, the number would increase drastically over the coming years since people have their mouths all over other people whether it be mouth on mouth or mouth on genitals. I don't know, Dr. handsfield keeps saying HSV1 isn't as frequent to transmit as 2. Is this handbook pretty accurate?

[curiousgrl]

Oh wow. Thanks Grace. Well we've talked about it and he is SO supportive. I told him the chances of spreading it even though I've never had any problems with it. I asked my mother if I had any fever blisters when I was younger she said she thinks so but she is not 100% positive. (I did have chicken pox).

I told my boyfriend to get blood tested for any Herpes Simplex virus just to be on the safe side. We have not had intercourse yet, as I am celibate. But I want to be in the know.

[gracefromHHP]

Even though in the US about 60% of adults have hsv1 orally - only about 20-40% of them ever get obvious cold sores to know that they are infected with the virus.  It's far more common to have hsv1 and not know it than it is to have it and know it.

I am going to contradict what slacker said though - hsv1 orally is also as easily transmitted without obvious symptoms as hsv2 genitally is. It also sheds more often than hsv2 genitally does ( 15% of days for hsv2, 18% of days for hsv1 according to the herpes handbook ).  I'm not saying that to alarm you more - just wanting to give accurate info on the board.

So what do you do? Well knowing your own status is only half the story. What is your bf's status?  If he is hsv1 negative himself - talk about what this means in your relationship.  Discuss if you want to utilize barrier protection for performing oral sex on him.  Of course avoid kissing him whenever you have any oral symptoms.  Even though canker sores are not due to herpes - if he's hsv1 negative then when you have a canker sore avoid kissing him until it's gone - the things that trigger canker sores can also trigger shedding of hsv1 orally. When you are otherwise ill ( they don't call them cold sores and fever blisters for nothing ) also avoid kissing him.  Not perfect precautions but they will go a long, long way.  Not many of us make it to the old folks home without hsv1 orally.  A little common sense helps a lot but folks really should be more surprised if they don't end up with hsv1 orally than when they do end up with it.

Of course if your man is also hsv1+ - not much to be worried about - just don't perform oral on each other if either of you have oral symptoms just to err on the side of caution.

grace

[slacker101]

Relax. As long as you don't kiss him if you have an outbreak you both will be fine. Most people do have it so you are not alone. If you are one of the unlucky people who have the outbreaks then you have more to worry about but don't worry. Asymptomatic transmission of HSV1 isn't as prevalent as the 2 Type.