HSV 1

After noticing two "pimples" on the head of my genitals I went to my doctor and tested positive for HSV 1.  He said it was a mild case and didn't perscribed me with any medication.  I believe I have passed it to my girlfriend through oral sex b/c she has just developed a cold sore, we are awainting her test results but feel confident that she will come back positive as well for HSV 1.  All of this has transpired within the last month. We have spoke in great detail about this and all is well between us, thank god!

Any thoughts on what I can do from here as far as medication?

Can we pass it back and forth to each other and have it spread to other regions?

Please help as all comments would be apprieciated!!!

Thanks!  

[petal130]

Did the swab/culture diagnose you or the blood test?

[worriedgeorge]

Not sure. All I know is that I tested positive for HSV 1.  My docotor was not too helpful at all and quick to tell me it was not a mjor issue.  Very sad in my opinion.  I am going to call him back for more details, what should I ask him specifically?

Thank you for any help!

[worriedgeorge]

I just got off the phone with the nurse and waiting on my doc to call back.  She stated that the "pimples" (I call them that b/c that is what they look like, there are two of them and look like a pimple on your face.) biopsy/culture came back negitive and the blood test came back positive HSV 1.

[gracefromHHP]

Then you don't know diddly about what is going on then. A + hsv1 blood test just tells you that you have hsv1 - it doesn't tell you where.  Even if you can't recall ever having had a cold sore, odds are you have hsv1 orally and transmitted it to your partner thru kissing ( I assume this is her first cold sore she can recall ).  Has she been tested for herpes yet?

grace

[b3b3]

wow! your post helped me alot im going through the same thing. . . i heard that you cant really pass it..its rare but make sure not to have sex while outbreaks..having HSV-1 really isnt a big deal but it jus bothers you knowin you have something.

[worriedgeorge]

So sorry for the long delay getting back to you.  You are right, I really don't know a lot about this and want to thank you for any and all of your help.  To date, I never remember having any cold sores, ever.  I know I have HSV 1 in my blood and the culture swab of the area on my genitals that started all of this proved to be negitive for HSV.

Yet my g/f is now getting cold sores and says she has never had them before.  How is it that I can have the virus and not get cold sores yet she gets the virus from me and immediately starts to have outbreaks?  First the corners of her mouth and know on her lip.  Not painful, but difficult to deal with no-the-less.

Is there are treatment for her other than OTC cream?

Thanks!

[worriedgeorge]

Another question???

If both my g/f and I are HSV 1+ and she has a cold sore; if we kiss will I get one shortly there after or will the antibodies in my body fight it off?

I guess what I am asking is can we pass sore's back and forth to each other if we are both HSV 1 positive?

Keep in mind I have never had a cold sore to date, but do believe I have been HSV 1 + for many years now and that I passed it on to her.

Thanks again for all of your help, you and this site have been very informative as there is not a lot of info out there you can trust, and the doc's are proving to be not very helpful.

Thank you!

[gracefromHHP]

why would your gf get cold sores and you wouldn't when you both most likely have the same hsv1 type?  It's as much about genetics as anything.  I know you aren't complaining about not getting obvious cold sores right?

You don't have to worry about kissing your gf. when she has an obvious cold sore or feels like one might be starting, she shouldn't perform oral sex on you though.

Did she get herpes antivirals in the cold sore doses to treat her cold sores with?

grace

[worriedgeorge]

LOL. Sorry,  I thought that statement was kinds funny.

Of course I am not complaining about NOT having cold sores.  I have never had a cold sore in my life but  have been carring the HSV 1 virus for many years, it was givien to me by my previous g/f who was HSV 1 +.

My new g/f of 6 months has had three small cold sores in the last 1.5 months.  She says she has never had cold sore either, which I believe her. I am assuming this is becasue it would be her initial OB from what I have been reading, which can be quite apparent and frequent.  She has been to the doctor, tests came back positive for HSV 1 and no perscription because the Doc's said it was mild and to only come back if it got painful.  the Doc's have not been very informative at all.  All of my info has come from you and Mayoclinic.com as well as CDC.gov.com.

She is putting OTC cold sore cream on it now, no oral meds from the Doc's.

I was just curious that kissing her while she has a small outbreak, would cause an initial one for me but I guess not. And I am fully aware about her not giving me oral during an OB.



Thank you very much and keep up the great work, it;s good to know that there are still people out there willing to help!!!  

[gracefromHHP]

She'd be better off getting a prescription for herpes antivirals in the cold sore doses if she has decent insurance for prescriptions. Even if she doesn't, she can get 30 200mg acyclovir tablets at walmart for $4 with a prescription from her doctor. They work best if you start them at the moment she starts to feel a cold sore about to start.

topicals don't do a heck of a lot. abreva is way too overpriced and only heals cold sores less than a day sooner than using a placebo so it's not worth the price.   Aveeno cold sore ointment with propolis heals in about 2 days faster - just apply it every 2 hours while awake to help speed healing.  You get almost the same relief from just steeping a tea bag and using it as a compress several times a day. I'm cheap myself :)

grace

[worriedgeorge]

THANK YOU!!!