HSV 2 shedding

Just found out from blood test that I have HSV 2 and my boyfriend doesn't.  We done just about everything imaginable without protection before we found out.  It obviously hasn't been an issure for me since I wasn't even aware that I had it.  After being diagnosed, the stress of having to tell him and ten alter our incredible sex life drastically, triggered a breakout.  I had two small bumps that went away in 5 days.  I did have prodome as well.  He is very scared and I understand.  My question is if we sleep naked together when I don't have active lesions, could he contract HSV 2 from me just brushing up against me?  Also, I have never had any coldsores orally.  Is it safe for me to perform oral sex on him?  We plan to just have only back door love with a condom since my breakout was on my vagina.  Because the area where they were located can't be protected by a condom.  Is it possible for us to ever have vaginal intercourse safely again?  Especially if I'm on Valtrex and never have breakouts?  We are worried about shedding.  

[petal130]

Best thing to do is get your test results and post them here (they should be numeric). There can be issues with false positives in testing, so finding out the IgG values is important.

[HealthyinHeels]

Thanks!  Does this determine my shedding rate?  

[gracefromHHP]

no it does not. Posting your results lets us figure out if you were properly tested and see if you need additional testing done or not.

anal sex is not going to be less risk for your partner at all!  When you are infected with hsv2, your entire sacral nerve ganglia is infected and you shed the virus from areas of actual lesions as well as from the entire anogenital area as well as periodically in between obvious lesions. Anal sex is no less risk than vaginal sex would be for your partner.

you didn't mention how long you and your partner have been together but you already know how low the risk of transmission to a male partner is in general. If you two did nothing but avoid sex anytime you had anything going on genitally, he would be on average 96% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you, regardless of the sex act.   If you take daily suppressive therapy and use condoms in addition to that, he is 99% likely each year on average not to contract hsv2 from you. Very low odds without a lot of effort :)

keep asking questions!

grace

[HealthyinHeels]

Thanks Grace,

I had read those stats.  Thanks for confirming them.  We have been together for 8 months.  The crazy thing is I was unaware I had it and we had done everything without protection eventually.  Finally had my yearly exam and had to request blood test.  This is when I found out.  I was so shocked and stressed I got shingles on my upper arm but it was extremely mild.  I am a health nut and did high doses of natural supplements that really shut the shingles down.  About a week in a hald after the shingles, I received my first noticeable symptom.....a small spot on my V.  Wasn't too big of a deal and healed quickly.  My doc put me on Valtrex suppressive therapy and we will use condoms all the time.  I love him very much and this has been a really difficult situation.  I don't want to infect him.  My other question would be whether or not I could pass H2 onto him orally.  I have never had a cold sore on my mouth.  I was under the impression that I would have to have it orally to transmit it orally.  Can it be transferred in my saliva?  Also, would it be ok for us to sleep together nudes if I have no breakouts?
Thanks,
HiH

[HealthyinHeels]

Sorry about typos!  

hald - half
nudes - nude

[gracefromHHP]

did you have lesion culture to confirm shingles or just a visual diagnosis? the reason I ask is because it would be unusual for someone your age to have shingles on their arm.  to me it's irresponsible to do a visual diagnosis of shingles in anyone under 50 since it has such a risk of being wrong.

Definitely call and ask them to read you your test results to post so I can look at them too.

You can transmit hsv2 to his oral area when he performs oral sex on you but the risk of such is very low in general. You being on daily suppressive therapy lowers his risk even more. It could happen but it's not likely to happen. You aren't going to transmit hsv2 to him orally by kissing though. It's not likely you have hsv2 orally yourself and it's not present in the saliva when you only have it genitally.

yes you can sleep together naked :)

[HealthyinHeels]

No......I had a very mild case.  I had pain in my arm before and then the typical pattern of shingles.  My doctor diagnosed me.  I had chicken pox at the age of 14, maybe this is why I was more susceptible to it.  I was able to get over the shingles in a week without antivirals.  About a week after, two small spots popped up on my genitals.  

I have been under an extreme level of stress and this is why my doc thinks I had both breakouts.  Thank you, this situation has been very difficult.  

As far as anal intercourse, I'm guessing lesions can only be present on its external surface, not inside the colon.  Would this be correct?  

:) Healthy In Heels

[gracefromHHP]

no getting chicken pox "late" doesn't make you more susceptible to shingles. should you ever get a visual diagnosis of shingles again, make them prove it with a culture.

you can have lesions in the colon but that's not typical.

[HealthyinHeels]

Ok.... I've read so much since being diagnosed with HSV 2 and there is definitely fear-guided false info.  Am I right that I can safely give my uninfected partner oral sex?  I have never had herpes on my mouth, never had a fever blister or coldsore.  I tested positive for HSV2 only.  If I perform oral sex on my boyfriend can I transmit HSV2 to him?  Should he wear a condom if I perform oral sex on him?  I am also taking Valtrex.  

HIH

[petal130]

You never posted your IgG test results. You don't even know if you have genital herpes.

No, you can't transmit your genital herpes from your mouth. But clearly, you need to find out if you truly even have herpes!