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Oral hsv 2
Recently diagnosed with hsv 2 oral. Lesion appeared on tongue a few days after performing oral sex. Swabbed at gum clinic and hsv 2 positive. How likely am I to suffer recurrences and also how likely to transfer to someone via kissing etc? Would it need to be a passionate kiss or could it transfer to my kids or something if I kiss them?
Best Answer
you would've had symptoms within 3 weeks of the encounter genitally/anally if you had contracted it there also. sounds like the protected anal sex protected you :)
Hi im not an expert but have recently been researching the subject because I believed to be having the same issue.
I have spoke with some of the Dr.s at westover heights clinic and they said although rare it can happen. They also said that hsv2 does not like the facial nerve so the recurrent rate is below 0.001 and many people who have an initial out break never have one again.
As for shedding the virus they also said it is very rare and only happens once in a while. Now I dont have any confirmed numbers but they said something around once a year over the phone I believe
I have spoke with some of the Dr.s at westover heights clinic and they said although rare it can happen. They also said that hsv2 does not like the facial nerve so the recurrent rate is below 0.001 and many people who have an initial out break never have one again.
As for shedding the virus they also said it is very rare and only happens once in a while. Now I dont have any confirmed numbers but they said something around once a year over the phone I believe
Can you describe the lesion? Did it release liquid for the swab? Was it single or multiple? Did it blister and transition to an ulcer? Any other symptoms arrive at the same time? Swollen neck nodes, etc?
Thanks for reply. When you say you have spoken to drs and they confirm it can happen do you mean ohsv2 itself or transmission via kissing? I have had swabs confirm it. My fear now is based around transmitting it.
I have had other symptoms. Really bad tonsillitis and fever (with night sweats) now whether they are related or not I'm not sure, maybe just a freak coincidence. But not been good for my anxiety. My fear is hiv but seperate hiv forum question I'm told no risk of hiv transmission orally despite the hsv2 infection.
I have had other symptoms. Really bad tonsillitis and fever (with night sweats) now whether they are related or not I'm not sure, maybe just a freak coincidence. But not been good for my anxiety. My fear is hiv but seperate hiv forum question I'm told no risk of hiv transmission orally despite the hsv2 infection.
Appeared as red almost traumatic sore on tip of tongue. Gum clinic dr and dentist both thought it didn't look herpetic. (More so traumatic eg bit it) Over next week or so 2 or 3 tiny blisters which ulcered. Now 2.5 weeks after flaring up largely gone but still a bit of a mark. See other comment re symptoms.
because this is so rare I would call the westover heights Clinic and have a phone consultation it is expensive but worth the money, especially in your predicament. They can answer all of your questions thoroughly as well as provide any assistance you require on how to protect your loved ones if transfer is possible.
Thanks for sharing the info you got from west over. Very kind. And fingers crossed those stats are indicative in my scenario. I may yet contact them for clarity also.
Hi my friend,
was doing some research today and found this for ya ....
Similarly, HSV-2 infection in theoral area-outside its site of preference-very rarely causes problems. First of all, oral, HSV-2 infections are rare, for reasons discussed below. But even when an infection occurs, recurrent outbreaks are uncommon. In one study (Lafferty et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1987), oral HSV-2 recurred an average of 0.01 times a year in newly infected people. "I've never convincingly seen an oral type 2 recurrence," says Spruance.
the rest of the article is in this link lots of info !'
http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html
was doing some research today and found this for ya ....
Similarly, HSV-2 infection in theoral area-outside its site of preference-very rarely causes problems. First of all, oral, HSV-2 infections are rare, for reasons discussed below. But even when an infection occurs, recurrent outbreaks are uncommon. In one study (Lafferty et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1987), oral HSV-2 recurred an average of 0.01 times a year in newly infected people. "I've never convincingly seen an oral type 2 recurrence," says Spruance.
the rest of the article is in this link lots of info !'
http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html
Thanks. I guess given its so rare it is hard to have to much confidence in any of the stats. If grace or terri can provide some input (experts from what I can I see) I would be greatly appreciative.
Struggling to find much info in terms of recurring infections and / or risk of passing it on via kissing / oral sex to future partners? Or worse potentially to my (future) kids from kisses etc? Does the nature of the virus and the fact oral hsv 2 is so rare (despite the prevalence of oral sex) mean it is just as unlikely to pass hsv2 oral to oral?
Struggling to find much info in terms of recurring infections and / or risk of passing it on via kissing / oral sex to future partners? Or worse potentially to my (future) kids from kisses etc? Does the nature of the virus and the fact oral hsv 2 is so rare (despite the prevalence of oral sex) mean it is just as unlikely to pass hsv2 oral to oral?
How long was it from the time the swab was taken until your results were provided? Did you see the actual printed result? What did it say?
Why you ask that? 12 days after swab. Saw on screen in gym clinic sat with dr going through results. Really appreciate some answers to my shedding and transferring questions from an expert please?
Was the test positive explicitly for HSV2, or did it say HSV detected or isolated?
They swabbed for both and that was what returned positive. Didn't ask to many questions of the dr. Why you ask - Are you able to provide some insight into hsv2 when oral?
I have little to no knowledge of UK testing for herpes. My understanding though was that the free service in the GUM clinic tested only for the presence of HSV, meaning it could be 1 or 2. Given it is a GUM clinic that focuses mainly on STIs of the genital region then they may automatically assume HSV2 rather than subtyping the original culture sample. 12 days though is enough to explicitly type a sample, hence if you explicitly saw HSV1 negative and HSV2 positive, detected or isolated then that is what it is.
Have you spoken to the person who you performed oral sex on?
The good news is that oral HSV2 is not very infectious at all. Most tests that involve swabbing of people with oral HSV2 do not detect shedding at all such that the estimate of about 1% of days in a year when it does shed is a rough estimate that is probably high. Most of those days will involve too little of the virus to be infectious such that practically you need sores to be infectious.
I would still confirm the diagnosis with blood testing after 12 weeks and maybe confirm that the partner is HSV2 positive.
Have you spoken to the person who you performed oral sex on?
The good news is that oral HSV2 is not very infectious at all. Most tests that involve swabbing of people with oral HSV2 do not detect shedding at all such that the estimate of about 1% of days in a year when it does shed is a rough estimate that is probably high. Most of those days will involve too little of the virus to be infectious such that practically you need sores to be infectious.
I would still confirm the diagnosis with blood testing after 12 weeks and maybe confirm that the partner is HSV2 positive.
I imagine it applies to the area reached by the trigemenal nerve ganglion, which is basically the front half sphere of your skull stopping in front of the ears.
No, I don't have a medical background, I just have herpes!
Look up studies on HSV2 shedding and you will find some that cover oral HSV2.
Did the GUM clinic truly type the HSV sample? Or make an assumption? Have you spoken with the partner concerned?
HSV2 is very weak outside the genital area, it is tuned very acutely to the nature of nerves in this region. It finds it difficult to activate in other nerve ganglions around the body. HSV1 seem to travel much better. (As you can tell, this is why I'm urging you to be sure this is HSV2 and not HSV1).
It is virtually impossible for you to infect someone without a lesion. Genitals would be more at risk than mouths. Adult mouths have seemingly more protection against HSV than genitals and many have HSV1 already.
I do not understand your comment about oral HSV2 when genital is present. This happens so rarely as to make a study of it extremely difficult to undertake. You just wouldn't find enough participants. I think I do know the study you are referring to though where they swabbed mouths and genitals. I don't believe there were many if any that swabbed positive for both oral and genital for HSV2.
Look up studies on HSV2 shedding and you will find some that cover oral HSV2.
Did the GUM clinic truly type the HSV sample? Or make an assumption? Have you spoken with the partner concerned?
HSV2 is very weak outside the genital area, it is tuned very acutely to the nature of nerves in this region. It finds it difficult to activate in other nerve ganglions around the body. HSV1 seem to travel much better. (As you can tell, this is why I'm urging you to be sure this is HSV2 and not HSV1).
It is virtually impossible for you to infect someone without a lesion. Genitals would be more at risk than mouths. Adult mouths have seemingly more protection against HSV than genitals and many have HSV1 already.
I do not understand your comment about oral HSV2 when genital is present. This happens so rarely as to make a study of it extremely difficult to undertake. You just wouldn't find enough participants. I think I do know the study you are referring to though where they swabbed mouths and genitals. I don't believe there were many if any that swabbed positive for both oral and genital for HSV2.
Certain it showed as hsv 2 positive from the swab result. Although socially less accepted (hsv 2) if I am going to get one orally only then it sounds like 2 is the better of the two?
Terri warren told me all data on hsv2 orally is when genital also present. So there is little data avail when sole hsv2 oral infection.
Do you have any info on recurring frequency?
Contacting the partner not possible.
Terri warren told me all data on hsv2 orally is when genital also present. So there is little data avail when sole hsv2 oral infection.
Do you have any info on recurring frequency?
Contacting the partner not possible.
Terri warren -
Yes, the research we have about oral HSV 2 is in subjects who have HSV 2 genitally as well. So that’s why my numbers to you are not consistent with the literature. I am not aware of any literature about the person who has HSV 2 orally only and shedding rates. It is true that HSV 2 does not like the mouth and certainly does recur less often there and sheds less often from there.
Yes, the research we have about oral HSV 2 is in subjects who have HSV 2 genitally as well. So that’s why my numbers to you are not consistent with the literature. I am not aware of any literature about the person who has HSV 2 orally only and shedding rates. It is true that HSV 2 does not like the mouth and certainly does recur less often there and sheds less often from there.
Oral hsv2 does occur. In the vast majority of cases, it rarely reoccurs and rarely sheds. At this point, no reason to think that you aren't one of the majority. There are some documented case studies of folks with oral hsv2 having ob's more frequently but only way to know if you are one of those is if you get symptoms reoccurring and get them cultured again like you did initially. no recurrence of symptoms then I really wouldn't worry much.
so what do you do now? well when you have oral symptoms of anything, avoid performing oral sex on a partner. Anything going on in the oral area could in theory trigger shedding but it's still unlikely to occur. Just err on the side of caution.
as far as kissing your kids, I would not hesitate to do so whenever you don't have oral symptoms. We don't kiss our kids in the way it takes to transmit oral herpes to them easily. It takes romantic type kisses to transmit herpes to any child over the age of a few months, not the pecks we give them.
so what do you do now? well when you have oral symptoms of anything, avoid performing oral sex on a partner. Anything going on in the oral area could in theory trigger shedding but it's still unlikely to occur. Just err on the side of caution.
as far as kissing your kids, I would not hesitate to do so whenever you don't have oral symptoms. We don't kiss our kids in the way it takes to transmit oral herpes to them easily. It takes romantic type kisses to transmit herpes to any child over the age of a few months, not the pecks we give them.
Hi grace thanks a lot for reading my case and replying. I do have a couple of questions though if I may?
The ob was minor. A few tiny blisters on tongue. But it has now been over 3 weeks and although not visible it hasn't entirely cleared away. I can still feel it on there. Not sore but nuisance value as I just want to move on and put behind me. Does this seem a long time or would you expect it to take a while to clear?
Also a couple days after ob flared up I got a very sore throat and ran a fever, had night sweats. Now antibiotics cleared up the throat in a few days and is now ok but 3 weeks on the night sweats are still there? Could these Symptoms be linked to the recent herpes infection or are they likely seperate bacterial infection? I was also frightened of hiv but hiv forum advised no risk.
Any input / thought be appreciated. Thanks.
The ob was minor. A few tiny blisters on tongue. But it has now been over 3 weeks and although not visible it hasn't entirely cleared away. I can still feel it on there. Not sore but nuisance value as I just want to move on and put behind me. Does this seem a long time or would you expect it to take a while to clear?
Also a couple days after ob flared up I got a very sore throat and ran a fever, had night sweats. Now antibiotics cleared up the throat in a few days and is now ok but 3 weeks on the night sweats are still there? Could these Symptoms be linked to the recent herpes infection or are they likely seperate bacterial infection? I was also frightened of hiv but hiv forum advised no risk.
Any input / thought be appreciated. Thanks.
it takes awhile for the skin to heal. you aren't still contagious at this point. also odds are you are really paying close attention to your entire oral area at this point too which makes things more noticeable to you.
no reason to think hiv from this. if the sweats continue for more than a month, follow up on them. meanwhile do what mom always told you to do - eat your veggies ( and drink lots of fluids to keep your body well hydrated ).
no reason to think hiv from this. if the sweats continue for more than a month, follow up on them. meanwhile do what mom always told you to do - eat your veggies ( and drink lots of fluids to keep your body well hydrated ).
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
