HSV 1 Genital

[Jinxy1402]

I gave my boyfriend oral sex on Saturday night.  I had no tingle and was experiencing no symptoms at the time.

Around 30 hours later on the Monday morning a red raised area appeared on my lip which I think is the inital stages of a coldsore.  How likely is it that I was contagious at the time of the act?  I have asked my own doctor who thinks it is unlikely but there is so much conflicting info out there.  The cold sore hasnt gone past the redness stage as yet.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think you could have been infectious.  I can't give you a percentage, however.  Has your boyfriend actually been tested to determine that he does not have HSV 1?  If he hasn't, I would recommend that he do that because he may already have HSV 1 and then you two don't have to worry about it.  Also, then he would know for certain if he has HSV 2 or not.  90% of those infected don't know.  If he turns out to be negative for both, you may wish to consider going on daily therapy to reduce the likelihood of infecting him through oral sex.  What do you think about that?

Terri

[Jinxy1402]

I am worried sick about this.  I would do anything to look after my boyfriends health I just wasnt aware of this as a risk my own GP maintains the main risk is when symptoms are being experienced.

How contagious are you before symptoms?   I have kissed my bf many times so surely he may have been exposed to hsv1 before through myself before.

How many peopl with hsv1 genital are asymptamatic?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

70% of those infected with HSV 1 don't know it, so he could easily be infected.
Also, about 70% of genital herpes transmissions occur when no symptoms are present - we don't have data on mouth to genital transmission.  I'm sure he has been exposed or infected and the question is which?  I would strongly suggest that he get tested so you two can see where you stand.

Terri