Transmission to partner

Hi I was just diagnosed with antibodies for HSV1 through an IgG blood test this week.  I do not recall having symptoms such as blisters, but maybe some burning in my urethra, not sure if that was a sign of this or irritation. Anyway, my values for the antibodies are 2.3.  I do not know if I have HSV 1 genitally or orally.  The doc explained that having antibodies just means I was exposed at some point and that about 40% of people have HSV 1.  I also read that based on research about 46% of 392 identified lesbians were HSV1 pos in one study.  Now, I am dating this woman (I am a lesbian) and want to know how likely am I to transmit it to her.  

-Is this values of 2.3 considered low? whats the range? Should I get tested again to confirm?
- Also based on the stats I gave, what I think is in my favor is that she may either already be HSV 1 pos.
-Also, I've read that HSV 1 genital transmission (genital to genital) may be possible but is low- question is how low is the risk?  
-How contagious is HSV 1 gential (genital) to genital (especially when I have no obvious symptoms) between lesbians? Is HSV 1 genital less contagious over time, a year, 2 years?
-I have had no blisters orally or genitally? could it be that I may never get them?
-if I do have gential (genital) HSV 1, is transmission to her orally through her giving me oral sex likely to give her blisters even if I do not have symptoms at the time?

Plus, I have HPV and was pos in 2009, neg in 2010 and now pos again with ASCUS.  I am scheduled for a biopsy in 2 months.  How am I supposed to cope with dating, newly single, and wanting to find a life partner.  I have researched HSV support/social groups and thought maybe I could find HSV pos lesbians to date.  Do I have to go this route!  I don't want to be celibate and having the discussion of figuring out when I might be 'shedding' or most contagious in order to enjoy lovemaking is starting to feel a lil traumatic for me right now.  I am afraid of never finding a partner who will understand or be willing to take the risk.

-signed 'feeling despair'

[Mistakeguy789]

Welcome to our forum.  Let me give you some information.  I won't interpert your results because that is best left to grace who is trained.  However your doctor is wrong about a few things so lets set the record correct.

HSV (regardless of type) can come in many factors.  When someone doesn't know their location of HSV in dealing with HSV-1 we usually say or point to oral herpes (cold sores/fever blisters) even if you can't ever remember having any.  We only challenge that finding when someone tests negative using a type specific igg test and then becomes positive we know at that point it could be anywhere.  You are never "exposed" to herpes.  You either have it or you don't.  Also about half of the adult us population has oral herpes.

There is no way short of you having symptoms and being seen within 48hrs for a lesion culture and typing.  

-Is this values of 2.3 considered low? whats the range? Should I get tested again to confirm?

I can't answer this.  Wait for grace :-)

- Also based on the stats I gave, what I think is in my favor is that she may either already be HSV 1 pos.

This is correct.  It is always best to have your partner tested to know their own status so they can take steps for their own if any precaution they wish to take.

-Also, I've read that HSV 1 genital transmission (genital to genital) may be possible but is low- question is how low is the risk?  

HSV-1 genitally doesn't shed much and has a less reoccurance rate.  Most people don't have reoccurances and those that do are very few per year.  We refer to shedding as when the virus is active on the skin but you have no symptoms (blisters etc).  If you have it orally (chances are you do) then the virus sheds I believe about 18% of days a year.  No one knows when they are shedding the virus.  It most couples they can go years before getting HSV.  One of our regular posters here went 5 years of what she called very often oral sex because she was transmitted HSV-1 genitally.  

-How contagious is HSV 1 gential (genital) to genital (especially when I have no obvious symptoms) between lesbians? Is HSV 1 genital less contagious over time, a year, 2 years?

We don't have stats for same sex couples.  There is no data to support that I am aware of that the virus is less contagious over time.  Though those that first are infected are highly infectious because they have no response yet to fight the virus.  

-I have had no blisters orally or genitally? could it be that I may never get them?

Depends on the location.  Some people go years without having a coldsore or genital symptoms.  You may get them some day or you may not.  No way to for sure to know.

-if I do have gential (genital) HSV 1, is transmission to her orally through her giving me oral sex likely to give her blisters even if I do not have symptoms at the time?

Again we don't have stats on same sex couples.  Sorry :(


Now on to your questions

[Mistakeguy789]

Sorry I forgot some of your post.

You are going to have to find someone who is going to understand what HSV is.  The best thing to do is educated them.  You don't have an answer where the virus is at and you may not.  HSV doesn't have to ruin your sex life.  Your partner is going to have to accept you for who you are.  HSV is merely a skin condition.  Nothing more.  It won't kill you and it maybe painful but even then you just don't know.  A good resource for you to review is www.westoverheights.com They have a free herpes handbook you can read over and learn.  Keep asking us questions!