Transmission of HSV1 when no sores are present

[lala988]

Hello,  my new partner and I always used condoms for sexual intercourse.  We did not for oral.  He has never had an outbreak or cold sore, so we were shocked when a week after a GYN visit I was informed I had herpes (they did a swab test).  I went and had blood work done, and tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2.  My partner went and was tested positive for HSV1, his doctor informed him he could only transmit the disease if there were sores present.  Which is what I've always thought from articles I have read.  We are both confused, and pulling our hair out as we wait 3 months for me to get another blood test.  Thanks for your help!

[gracefromHHP]

So you had active lesions in the genital area that were tested and found to be hsv1+ correct?


your bf has hsv1 also.

there's no need for any continued testing at this point for you.

I'm guessing you saw a doctor in NYC who has a wonderful website , sells a book he wrote for $80 and it appear to really know a lot about herpes?

grace

[mbm13]

i have had these same conditions pretty consistently for years.  never an outbreak, never a blister, it feels like a uti.  i don't know.  I can't find out if it's genital herpes unless theres a blister or lesion.  i was diagnosed with hsv1 oral, and having ngu cells in my urethra.  thanks for talking.

[lala988]

Thanks for the response.  I am not getting ANY answers from my gyno.  I remember him doing the swab.  He said there didn't seem to be any infection.  The worse part is that his wife was the one who told me via phone.  When I called back to get answers, what type, what medication, he said there was nothing I could do and it doesn't matter.

So I Googled and came up with an "expert" who wrote a book.  I went to see him, was very nice, professional, when I went for the follow up visit, he told me I didn't have it, the blood work came back negative.  Then he was like wait, when was the last time you had sex.  Oh never mind you have to wait to do another blood test.  Seriously!  You're an expert, you're book is $80, shouldn't you have asked me those questions before you took my blood?

I live in a major city in the US, so I'm done with the private practice doctors!  I'm going to a free clinic, and hope to get better answers.

[petal130]

How were you diagnosed as having HSV1? Genital or oral? No, these don't sound like "typical" herpes symptoms. That being said it doesn't rule out herpes, but many things can go on down yonder - not just herpes. Self-diagnosis just isn't the way to go - clearly you need to get checked out by your medical provider.

[mbm13]

i am a male who thinks he may have hsv1 of the genitals, do you know if itchy anus, slight discharge after urination, itchy urethra, are these symptoms of men with hsv1 of the genitals?  or could it be something else?  i have hsv1, but was not diagnosed as having hsv2.  thanks.

[Mick1981]

If your swab was positive but blood test negative you can bet it is a new infection as the blood test looks for antibodies which your body hasnt prob produced alot of yet.

Yes it can still be transmitted when no sores are present and oral HSV1 tends to shed about 18-15% of the year.  

I got genital HSV1 after receiving oral sex from someone who did not have an active cold sore.
you know what the swab came back as??  HSV1 or HSV2??
Fortunately if it is HSV1 then the good news is that genital HSV1 tends to outbreak less and shed way less than genital HSV2... 20-15% vs 5-3%..  for me personally I had my first outbreak in April and nothing since.. fingers crossed I dont have another one..

It is pretty hit and miss about when the virus is shedding and you really dont know when it is.. when you have sex you're basically gambling as you could be shedding at anytime.. I have had sex since my first outbreak and i told the person I was with.. and they never got it and you're supposed to shed more in the first year.. so yeah it is just luck of the draw.

[lala988]

Thanks for commenting.  What's even crazier is that he's NEVER had a cold sore, and has never had this problem with other partners. So it is very stressful right now. :(

[petal130]

Your doctor is absolutely wrong. The virus can be transmitted during viral "shedding" - when the virus is active but there is no visible symptom. That is how I got genital HSV1 - my partner hadn't had a cold sore in years, and yet through oral sex he transmitted it to me.

The reason your blood test was negative and swab positive is because this is a new infection for you. It takes your body up to 3-4 months to develop antibodies that would be detected in the blood test. Again, same experience as mine.

Become educated even further by reading the Herpes Handbook, link here:
http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters.html