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HSV-1/HSV-2 Transmission
Hello,
I have been with my girlfriend since September of 2009 and we have been sexually active since then. She recently informed me that she was diagnosed with genital HSV-1 after being treated for a few outbreaks. This was prior to us dating, and she acquired it from her previous boyfriend's cold sores. Since we have been sexually active she mentioned she has not had any outbreaks. I have performed oral sex on her a handful of times. We have also had unprotected sex numerous times. I cannot recall ever having a cold sore, nor any symptoms in my genital area. However, when she told me she had genital HSV-1 I wanted to go get tested. I went today to have bloodwork done and felt somewhat stupid when the nurse asked me if they should test for HSV-1 or HSV-2. When I told them my situation the nurse claimed that it is likely I already have had/have HSV-1, and that a blood test would be of no use. I took her word for it and opted to get tested for HSV-2. I am currently awaiting the results of this test. My question is, since my partner and I have been sexually active for 6 months and I have had no noticeable symptoms is it possible I have already had HSV-1 in the past and I am now immune to it? If she did transmit her genital HSV-1 to me, wouldn't I have noticed some symptoms? Should I have received the blood test for HSV-1. If the HSV-2 blood work comes back negative should I assume that I am in the clear and we can have a healthy/normal sex life?
I have been with my girlfriend since September of 2009 and we have been sexually active since then. She recently informed me that she was diagnosed with genital HSV-1 after being treated for a few outbreaks. This was prior to us dating, and she acquired it from her previous boyfriend's cold sores. Since we have been sexually active she mentioned she has not had any outbreaks. I have performed oral sex on her a handful of times. We have also had unprotected sex numerous times. I cannot recall ever having a cold sore, nor any symptoms in my genital area. However, when she told me she had genital HSV-1 I wanted to go get tested. I went today to have bloodwork done and felt somewhat stupid when the nurse asked me if they should test for HSV-1 or HSV-2. When I told them my situation the nurse claimed that it is likely I already have had/have HSV-1, and that a blood test would be of no use. I took her word for it and opted to get tested for HSV-2. I am currently awaiting the results of this test. My question is, since my partner and I have been sexually active for 6 months and I have had no noticeable symptoms is it possible I have already had HSV-1 in the past and I am now immune to it? If she did transmit her genital HSV-1 to me, wouldn't I have noticed some symptoms? Should I have received the blood test for HSV-1. If the HSV-2 blood work comes back negative should I assume that I am in the clear and we can have a healthy/normal sex life?
Thanks for the speedy response Grace. I tried to call the facility back to see if they would add HSV-1 into the bloodwork testing and they mentioned they did not test for HSV-1, which I find hard to believe. At any rate it will put me at peace of mind to have the bloodwork done for HSV-2 anyways. It also reassures me that it is not likely for me to contract her genital HSV-1. I guess time will tell what happens, and we will just have to take things day by day.
you need to call and ask them to add on hsv1 testing to the blood test request too. assume nothing about your hsv1 status and test for it also. depending on your age, depends on the odds of you being infected with hsv1. if you are under 30, it's closer to 30% rates of infection with hsv1 which certainly is not everybody by no means!!
are you likely to contract her hsv1 genital infection? No you are not. no way to know if she also has hsv1 orally unless she gets obvious cold sores. up to the two of you if you want to only receive protected oral sex from her too.
are you more likely to contract hsv1 orally from performing oral sex on her since the oral area is the preferred place of infection? No it is not. hsv1 genitally doesn't shed a lot which is why even if you don't already have hsv1, it's low risk of you contracting it from her.
totally up to the two of you if you want to use condoms for sex or not too. that's totally your choice.
grace
are you likely to contract her hsv1 genital infection? No you are not. no way to know if she also has hsv1 orally unless she gets obvious cold sores. up to the two of you if you want to only receive protected oral sex from her too.
are you more likely to contract hsv1 orally from performing oral sex on her since the oral area is the preferred place of infection? No it is not. hsv1 genitally doesn't shed a lot which is why even if you don't already have hsv1, it's low risk of you contracting it from her.
totally up to the two of you if you want to use condoms for sex or not too. that's totally your choice.
grace
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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.
