HSV-1

[FeelAloneInNY]

I am a heterosexual male and I was diagnosed with HSV-1 today with 4 little sores on the top of my anus. I practice safe sex and have not had a woman do anything to that part of me in years. How diod this get there?

[scared_half_to_death]

Dude. Don't worry about it. Most people have HSV1 and are therefore most immune to new infections. If you keep having symptoms look into getting a Valtrex perscription. Even though its a pain in the arse, don't worry about it :)

[auntiejessi]

If you have hsv1 genitally, its most likely the result of oral sex from someone who has hsv1 orally.

AJ

[gracefromHHP]

When you are infected with herpes in the genital area - it gets in thru the skin and then works its way up into usually the sacral ganglia.  It "hides" there until it reactivates thru either active viral shedding and/or obvious genital lesions.  Because the sacral ganglia services the entire boxer short area as we call it - lesions can occur anywhere in that area - not just at the area of infection.  I think sometimes that's why males won't recognize anal symptoms as being herpes - they think no anal sex/anal contact then no chance of herpes showing up there but unfortunately it doesn't work that way.  

You are preaching to the choir about why herpes isn't talked about more even though it's so prevalent!!  It was also a BIG topic at the cdc std conference last week.  They pointed out ( for only about the 4 zillionth time ) that herpes testing needs to be offered at more places.  With 1 out of every 2-3 adults having hsv1 and 1 out of every 4-5 adults having hsv2 - it's far too common to keep ignoring.  All too often folks aren't even told that they aren't being tested for herpes. I think most of us assume that when we ask for std testing that we are getting the whole shebang but the reality is - it's usually only 2 or 3 std's that you are getting tested for :(  

Feel free to ask any questions you have :)

grace

[FeelAloneInNY]

Grace,

I had a culture of the lessions done and it came back as HSV1. Why can the infection come up anywhere? If the virus can come up anywhere, how safe are condoms? The last few days have been really eye opening ofr me with the stats. 1-5 Adults has HSV-1 or 2. (90% do not know the have it.) This sounds like an epodemic!! Wh is the media so hush about all this?

[gracefromHHP]

How did they diagnose you with hsv1?  Did you have a blood test done or did you have a lesion culture of the actual sores that came back as hsv1+?

Condoms do not prevent transmission of herpes 100%.

You don't have to have anal contact in order to get symptoms there either.  The virus can present with symptoms anywhere in the entire boxer short area regardless of the area of infection.

grace