HSV 1 genital to genital?

[oldbutnotwise]

Sexual intercourse again with my out-of town lover of two years resulted in lesions.....and a culture that showed HSV 1.  He's shocked, I am too.  (1)  Since he is clearly asymptomatic, what is the likelihood he transmitted the virus to me through shedding?  (2) If unbeknown to me I contracted the virus myself several months ago in another relationship involving oral sex performed on me  --could the virus have lain dormant and now have been "awakened" by sexual activity with my out of town friend? (3) If #2 is the case, what is the likelihood that I transmitted the virus to him during the outbreak (he has no symptoms yet) and are we "safe" as sexual partners henceforth? (4) What tests should he have? (5) What is the likelihood that I now could pass on the virus to future partners through a) genital to genital transmission and b) cunnilingus?  I read that genital-genital transmission is rare, which makes me confused about how I got this, and how I can keep from spreading it further.   Thanks so much for your help!

[gracefromHHP]

So you didn't also have a blood test done at the same time to see if this is a newly acquired infection or not?

Yes you could've contracted hsv1 genitally at any point in your life and are just now noticing symptoms.

your current partner needs a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what his status is. since most adults do have hsv1 - there's no easy way to determine if you contracted your hsv1 from him or someone else.  What's important to know at this point is who has what so you know what precautions you want to take together.

You can transmit hsv1 from genitals to genitals - it's just less likely to happen than genital to genital transmission of hsv2 is.

the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com has terrific info on herpes for more reading.

grace

[oldbutnotwise]

Thanks!  I am having a blood test tomorrow. If I DON'T  have antibodies against HSV 1, then I will know for sure that the recent infection is the first infection, just contracted.  If I DO have antibodies, I won't know when I got them, but I will know that I already had exposure to HSV 1 prior to the recent outbreak.