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Avatar universal

Oral HSV-2

I am a 55 yo married male. I’ve been HSV-1 positive for many but not had any other STD. I tested for herpes 4 months ago and the result was positive to HSV-1 but negative to HSV-2.

Eight weeks ago I met a female sex worker and had vaginal sex with a condom and unprotected oral sex. I also fingered the woman's vagina without gloves.

A few days later I noticed a small but painless sores on the LHS of my upper & lower lips.  I was very concerned and refused to kiss anybody for fear it was a contagious STD. However, some days later I gave my wife what I thought was a very low risk kiss on her buttocks.

After a further few days I noticed what looked like a spider bite on my wife's buttocks which became more pronounced as the days progressed. She had no pain but visited her doctor that day. The doctor thought it was herpes and took a swab which was positive for HSV-2.  My wife had never mentioned that she had herpes, so I believe I have passed it to her.

Since then my symptoms have been on-going tingling, itching & regular but short-lived sharp pain around my lips, my nose, nostrils, chin and latterly my cheeks, chin and my neck. I have had very small discrete lesions develop around my nostrils and on the edge of my lips. I have also had itchy fingers and thumbs. These symptoms have come and gone continuously but never absent for more than a day.

I have had no symptoms in my genital region.

On 2 early occasions I took 1500mg of Famvir 1500mg but nothing since.

I had blood tests at the 2 & 6 week mark which were both positive for HSV-1 but negative for HSV-2 and syphilis. My doctor believes my symptoms are not herpetic and argues  the risk of HSV-2 transmission in the manner I described is very low.

However, this conflicts with my wife’s positively identified  HSV-2.

My biggest fear now is that I may transmit the virus to my wife, family and friends through something as innocent as kiss.

I would value your opinion on my health concerns.
3 Responses
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55646 tn?1263660809
If I had to guess, I would say your wife has had HSV 2 for a while.  But only time will tell if you contracted HSV 2 from the sex worker.  

Why did you have an HSV test four months ago?

The contact that you describe with your wife, a small kiss on the buttocks, seems to me to be extremely unlikely to transmit HSV to her, if you actually have it.  the buttocks skin is thicker and unless there was broken skin there, very unlikely to be penetrated by the herpes virus.  

If  your wife had sex partners other than your at any point in her life, she could have contracted herpes a long time ago.  

If you are negative for HSV 2 at 6 weeks post contact with very minimal antiviral therapy, I think it is unlikely that you have contracted HSV 2.  Please don't take any more herpes medicine at all until or if you plan to test again at a later date.

I understand that you are very concerned that you are infectious to others, but honestly, I doubt that.  You'll just have to wait until more time has passed to know for certain.

Terri
Helpful - 1
55646 tn?1263660809
OK.  No meds until final testing.
You've made an error.  It's done, you can't go back and change it and guilt and fear won't make it better.  They will only make you farther away from those you love.  Regret is a better emotion for this, I think, as it confirms that you would like to do things differently in the future but doesn't absorb you in your own emotions so much that it takes you away from your family emotionally.  

I would encourage you to focus on THEM now, not you.  Be as loving as you know how.  Your wife might wonder what's up, but do it anyway ;-).  

Terri  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear Terri
Thank you so much for your reply. The stupidity of my selfish action haunts me each and every day. The worry I have for my family is now my biggest concern. I am very scared and in a very lonely place.
Irrespective of my final status, your prompt reply is very comforting. I shall stay off any anti-viral medication until I have concluded further tests.
Helpful - 0

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