Oral HSV-2

[Whataretheodds2]

Hello,

I recently had a western blot test for Herpes. I came back negative for type 1 and positive for type 2. I have had 3 cold sores in the my life on my lip. Perhaps every 1 or 2 years. The last come came when I was stressed about the Herpes IGG results a month ago.

I have a history of performing oral sex and not having intercourse. From some researching I saw that a Doctor H. Hunter Hansfield mentioned that when HSV 2 is acquired both orally and in the genitals at the same time, both areas would show symptoms.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/confirmed-oral-hsv2--do-I-have-genital-too/show/1300522

"Most people with new oral HSV-2 also have it genitally because both areas are exposed, i.e. with both unprotected genital and oral exposure during the same sexual episode.  In this case, the condom did what it was supposed to do:  it apparently protected you from genital infection.  The virus takes hold only where there is direct contact with a partner's infection.  It is possible you were infected genitally as well, without symptoms, but unlikely."

I can't put a question in the ask the experts area and looking for help to understand if I only oral HSV-2, what is the risk of passing it on? I read that there is 1% shedding rate. I assume the biggest risk would be while performing oral sex. Can spit from my mouth transfer hsv-2 to my female partner's genital area? My partner has HSV-1 on her mouth. Do I have any protection against it as I have a high level of IGG for HSV 2 (11.5)?

Thanks in advance for replies

[Fleetwood20]

It is believed you have immunity from a genital HSV2 infection but there are few studies on this.

Rubbing against the infected skin area is required for transmission. Regardless of whether saliva picks up some virus, kissing, oral sex is required for transmission.

[Whataretheodds2]

Okay thanks for the response. I am confident those were cold sores based on some research. I will go for a swab next time though.

As a follow up, is it possible to now get HSV 2 genital if I have built up some antibody response?

Can HSV spread through saliva?

[Whataretheodds2]

Okay thanks for the response. I am confident those were cold sores based on some research. I will go for a swab next time though.

As a follow up, is it possible to now get HSV 2 genital if I have built up some antibody response?

Can HSV spread through saliva?

[Fleetwood20]

Your IgG at 12 is perfectly normal. There is no correlation between an IgG result and outbreak frequency. At an outbreak every few years, this falls well within the average range for oral HSV2.

You might try to be absolutely sure you get cold sores? How about a swab next time.

If your partner has oral HSV1, you can only be infected from kissing her or receiving oral sex from her. No other activity such as you giving her oral creates a risk.

It is believed that having one type of HSV gives some protection from the other type, but interestingly statistics and studies suggest it makes little difference. Some people have believe have HSV2 is more immunity against HSV1 than the other way around.

[Whataretheodds2]

Thanks for the feedback Fleetwood20. My IGG for HSV 2 was 11.5. Quite high which might explain the low number of breakouts.

To clarify one statement: I did have intercourse in the past. I just suspect I got HSV2 from partners where I only performed oral as I've only seen cold sores on my lips.

I didn't have IGG for HSV 1, but when the Western blot was performed for both, HSV 1 came back negative with HSV 2 positive.

Would I still be at high risk to get HSV 1 from my partner performing oral? Seems like with a high IGG for HSV 2, I have built up some antibody. Also curious how susceptible I am for HSV 2 on the genitals as I already have it orally.

Thanks again for the response and anything additional.