HSV-1

Last week I went for blood tests for all STDS as I was having typical primary HSV symptoms and was unsure.  My blood work came back negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Despite this I experienced an outbreak of genital herpes and had a culture done.  My results came back positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV-2.  They also showed that I had been recently exposed to the virus.  My boyfriend and i have been together for over a year and a half. About 2 months ago, I had outside relations.  My boyfriend just received his results and he came back HSV-1 positive though he has never experienced an oral or genital outbreak.  Is it possible that I spread it to him? We did not have sex or oral sex since before the negative blood results. Or was he exposed a long time ago and has been asymptomatic?  If so, why was i not exposed to it earlier in our relationship (he has been faithful)?

[gracefromHHP]

Your blood test was + for hsv1 so this isn't a newly acquired genital hsv1 infection for you - just your first obvious recurrence ( I assume it's hsv1+ igg and not the igm ).  Your doctor telling you that the blood work showed that you were recently exposed to the virus is wrong if they are basing it on a + igm.

your bf has hsv1, you have hsv1. The only thing you need to do is avoid sex whenever you have obvious genital symptoms and things should be fine. his own hsv1 infection,whereever it might be at, gives him significant protection from contracting hsv1 on other body parts.  

grace

[Begs]

Thanks for you quick response!  As I mentioned in my question, my blood work came back NEGATIVE.  That test was done on Monday as a result to finding two small bumps and having swollen glands in my groin. By Friday, I was experiencing a full on outbreak.  I went to the gyno on friday and she took a culture and put me on valtrex etc.  The culture is what came back positive.  I dont have the blood tests in front on me, but the doctor explained that as a result to being recently exposed, there were not enough antibodies in my blood and my blood work came back negative.  She said I had never been exposed until recently, hence a positive culture.
The last time my bf and i had sex was BEFORE i had the Negative blood work done. My bf got a blood test last week and came back positive for hsv-1.
Did I give it to him or did he give it to me?

On another note, i think its great that you take the time out of your schedule to answer people's questions.  Noone is fully aware of how easy and fast moving hsv is and it has an incredibly bad connotation.  Dont get me wrong, I balled my eyes out and swore off sex forever 2 weeks ago, but i quickly was forced to come to terms with it and learned that not only is it common, its a crisis. Thank you!

Hopefully my question is better explained.  Looking forward to hearing from u.

[gracefromHHP]

Oh sorry - sometimes I"m pleasantly confused at 3am.

Anyways so yes this is a newly acquired hsv1 genital infection - sorry about that mix up.  The advice about you and your bf's sex life though remains the same.  

Since the other encounter was 2 months ago and you are just now showing symptoms, it's more likely that you contracted hsv1 genitally from your current partner.

grace