HSV 1 question

[hollygolightly05]

Hi,

I experienced my first cold sore on my lips. To my knowledge it was my first cold sore, as I have no memory of having any before. I was quite feverish at the time and felt the tingling sensation.

About six weeks later, I then went to the Doctor's as my genitals felt like they were burning and were swollen. The doctor was unsure as to whether it was genital herpes, and we couldn't do the test, as I was about to leave for a business trip. I literally ran from the office to the Doctor to the plane. I was shell shocked when the Doctor mentioned herpes, as I had not considered this. When I got back from the trip, I returned to the Doctor's and there were no longer any symptoms.

My question is, how can I find out if this is herpes.

I've also read a lot on the topic, and the only way I couldve received this was via oral sex. I received oral sex six weeks earlier from the man who had given me cold sores.

Is it possible I contracted both oral and genital herpes? My mouth cold sore showed up two days later, but my genital pain was six weeks later. Is this possible?

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

condoms aren't 100% protection against all std's so it's a conversation to have before you ever have sex.  That way there aren't any misunderstandings from the gitgo!  

[hollygolightly05]

PS obviously I would not want sex during an outbreak, but is it possible with HSV 1 to not know you're having an outbreak? If my outbreak was HSV 1, it was very painful and I had quite noticeable back pain, could I expect to experience similiar but more mild symptoms in a subsequent outbreak, ie would the backpain be there? At least Id have a strong indication to abstain from sex.

Thanks Grace your advice is so helpful.

[hollygolightly05]

Thanks, should I bringing this up before sex, or once we consider sex w/o condoms.

My Dr says so long as condoms are being used, I should just enjoy the new relationship..

Despite the blood tests, I'm feel I did get HSV 1 orally and genitally. -I definitely had a coldsore, and then six weeks later, the Dr said I might have genital herpes -altho it was an atypical presentation. -Then 12 weeks later blood tests did not confirm. She said not to worry, but just come back in if symptoms present again... she said the coldsore virus isn't a big deal -which I agree, but the stigma is and putting someone else in pain is. THANKS

[gracefromHHP]

you need to talk about herpes and testing anyways so this is actually a good way to segue into it :)    when you are having "the talk" about std's , testing for std's, condom use, birth control use and gardasil shots, you can tell him that you are pretty sure you  had a cold sore once but the testing you went through was inconclusive - it's a good way to bring up the topic of herpes and how testing isn't part of routine std testing.

best of luck!

grace

[hollygolightly05]

So it's now been over six months since the exposure. Lucky for me I have now met a really great guy..

However I have no idea what to tell him. I have told him that I think I had a coldsore once -so for me this rules out giving any unprotected oral sex to him, as I'm not willing to transmit that.

My blood test was negative for HSV 1, despite I think having a coldsore, and possible genital symptoms.. -which were not diagnosed.

What should I tell my partner? I am worried that I may be disclosing something I don't have -my Dr felt no need to say anything, however I am equally concerned that I do have oral and genital HSV 1, despite the blood test, and very much would not want to expose someone, or betray them. My Dr said so long as condoms are being used, disclosure at this point is not necessary..

Your thoughts? This is a big moral dilemma for me. THANK YOU

[gracefromHHP]

even the best blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. at this point waiting for a recurrence of symptoms and getting a lesion culture done promptly is the most accurate way to diagnose hsv1 orally.

[hollygolightly05]

So was 80 days long enough. Should I have antibodies in my blood or do I need to retest just to be sure. When do I re-test?

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

Well just to put my input, my "cold sores" last a max of 3 days on the third day it's gone completely gone! And this includes my first noticeable cold sore! Also, i never used any cold sore creams to make my "cold sores" go away. And I was tested pos for hsv1 via blood test. I never had anything on my lip last more than 3 days.

[gracefromHHP]

even cold sore creams don't work that fast.

only thing you can do at this point is wait for a recurrence and get it cultured .

[hollygolightly05]

The sore disappeared in 2 days, but I used coldsore cream to get rid of it. I did have a a fever/chills.

There was only one sore on my upper lip and it looked exactly like a coldsore. I felt tingling. I'm also of the understanding, that usually a primary infection would result in more than one coldsore?

The blood tests have provided some relief, but in many ways have left me extremely confused.

I really dont think I had genital HSV though,because while I had back pain, tingles and it was sore and red. There were no visible sores, just one minor abrasion which wasn't typical of HSV according to the Dr.

I think the blood test I took was focus IGG and it was after 80 days, and its negative.

I think now I just need to accept these results and move on. -However, I would hate to transmit it to someone else but my understanding is that is very low with HSV anyway. I could re-test in 3months or so, (then it will be 6months) but I'm not sure I see the point, either I'll get symptoms again, or I just forget this.

THANKS.

[gracefromHHP]

odds are this isn't syphilis.

a newly acquired cold sore isn't going to go away in 2 days either.

[hollygolightly05]

In my search for upper lip sores that are not coldsores, I came across syphilis chancre. I'm now wondering about this, although in the first Doctor's appointment, I was told it could not be syphillis. I'm baffled.. maybe i am in the 6%, because I felt a tingle and sure enough a few hours later, I had what looked like a coldsore. I applied ointment and it was gone in two days. I did have fever/chills the day I got it

[hollygolightly05]

Well, I took the test after approx 12 weeks (80 days) and it came back negative. My Doctor contacted the lab and the lab said 94% of people would test positive after 12 weeks if they had contracted.

So I guess this means I'm pretty much all clear, unless I'm in the 6%.

It's left me baffled. I dont know what other lip sores could look and feel like a coldsore and not be herpes!

[gracefromHHP]

there are false negatives for hsv2 too but they are only 2% if enough time has passed. it's much more of an issue with hsv1 than hsv2.

[hollygolightly05]

Thanks. Are there negative issues for HSV 2 from a blood test? I'm guessing I can now safely rule that out (although it wasn't really a big fear, but a small fear). I guess with HSV 1, I"ll just wait and see if symptoms present again.

I can't see what else this mouth sore on my lip could have been.

[gracefromHHP]

there are false negative issues with the igg testing for hsv1. best thing to do at this point is the next time you have oral symptoms, be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a lesion culture and typing for better answers.   more blood testing isn't always helpful.

[hollygolightly05]

Hi, I waited roughly 12 weeks (80 days to be exact) and got the blood tests for herpes. I had IgG antibody test and it came back negative for both HSV 1 and HSV 2. The doctor and I are both surprised. I'm wondering if I didn't wait long enough to do the testing, because I was quite sure I had a coldsore after meeting this guy, and six weeks later, the Dr felt what I presented with could have been herpes (although it was atypical). I'm guessing I probably need to do another test to double check.My question is should 80 days normally be long enough to record a herpes infection? I know it says 3months, but I thought I might be close enough. Your thoughts?

Thanks again!!

[gracefromHHP]

the blood test being + for hsv1 wouldn't tell you anything more than you already know. You had an obvious cold sore which is most likely hsv1. only way to know if you also have it genitally is if you get a return of genital symptoms to get tested.   Due to the false negative issues with the hsv1 igg testing, even a negative hsv1 result isn't really a lot of answers either unfortunately.

Since hsv1 orally sheds so much more than hsv1 genitally does, assuming you only have it orally is not a bad idea as far as talking to a partner about precautions.

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

Did you already take a blood test before or within the 3 months of the exposure, if not you should have because then you would have known if you were already hsv1 pos.
I have been worried about having hsv1 both genitally and orally. So far I have had an obvious cold sore, I've had Many problems down there but never any herpes looking sores! I did have an abrasion that was swabbed and came back neg.
Just FYI if next time you have an "outbreak" and your dr is out of the office you should go to a clinic or urgenct care to get the area swabbed because after 48hrs you have a higher chance of getting a false neg!

[hollygolightly05]

Ok, so it's been 3 months, I'll go in and have blood tests. Assuming it's + for HSV1 which I think it will be. Do I then make the assumption I received oral and genital in the one hit? Do I warn people? Or do I assume I only have it orally as there was no conclusive diagnosis for genital? Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

really nothing more I could add at this point. not too much else you can do to figure it out unless you have a recurrence of symptoms.

[hollygolightly05]

Okay, I'm just not sure why it's probable that I have HSV 1 genitally? My presentation was atypical. Isnt there a possibility I only got it on my lips? Sorry getting hopeful here

[gracefromHHP]

unfortunately sometimes it's not all black and white when it comes to herpes. At this point, discuss with partners that you probably have hsv1 and are still undergoing work up to confirm that. Hsv1 orally sheds far more than hsv1 genitally does so it's the more important base to cover anyways. not the best answers to give a partner but it gets the conversation going and gets them testing to see what their own status is. With partners, it's just as important to know what they have to protect yourself as it is to disclose your hsv1 status.

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm has terrific info on oral herpes for more reading about precautions to take.

[hollygolightly05]

Okay, so this is basically the same advice of the Practioners -if I have any symptoms again, come in pronto. And if I don't, I'm now left wondering, what is my obligation to any new partner I might meet. -Do I say, I might have herpes, but it has never been diagnosed (as it was possibly thrush) or do I not disclose?

Basically the 6 week later presentation, the Doctor said it was an atypical presentation. She said on the first visit it might be herpes, as there was a small abrasion, however on the second visit (3 days later) she said the abrasion was gone and she felt if it was herpes it was an atypical presentation. However given that I did experience my first coldsore ever (+ fever) 2 days after the initial exposure it has made me worried.

I feel like there is nothing I can do, unless I have symptoms again. In the mean time, the relationship with the guy has ended as he feels like I've accused him of something horrible. -He is positive he's never had a coldsore, but in hindsight, I think he did..

My symptoms were burning pain, swollen, general soreness and it hurt to walk. No lesions. but very inflamed. The pain could not be ignored,there was not ichyness. But there was some lower back pain. And also pain in the inner thigh.

Not knowing is very difficult, but then again I'm not sure I want to experience this again!!!:)

THANKS AGAIN