What are my chances of infecting my partner?

I am female dating a male.  I recently discovered that I have HSV1 and 2.  I suspect that I have had it for a very long time, but I am not sure of that.  I have never had an outbreak, and if I have infected anyone, they have never had a breakout.

I am in a relationship with someone who is obviously concered about contracting herpes himself.  He gets cold sores, so he is assuming that he already has HSV 1.

A few questions...
Is it accurate that because he already has herpes 1 that he is less likely to be infected by me?
Is the fact that I have never had an outbreak mean that my likelihood of passing on the virus is less than the general statistics?
I have read that female to male transimission is 4 - 5% with that rate being reduced by 50% when taking meds (which I would do).
Can you break that down in terms of if we have sex 100 times, the chance of him getting herpes from me (with above information) is X?

I would greatly appreciate information that is based in evidence as opposed to opinions. He is a science guy and he needs information to make a decision!  (By the way, we had sex a half dozen times or so before I was diagnosed and he has developed no symptoms.)

Thank you!

[franklinandbash]

You need to find out what tests you had done along with the numerical values to see if you were properly tested and/or need confirmatory testing. Just come back with that information and someone can help you with your situation  

[newtothis118]

I don't actually know my levels - I was just told that I was positive.  I was tested TWICE at my insistence, and it came back positive again.  I am going to make appointment to go over values etc, but right now I do not have access to that info.

[gracefromHHP]

I can best help you see if you need further confirmatory testing once you get those numbers. Perhaps call the clinic monday and ask them to read your test results back to you to write down to post - e.g. hsv1 igg 4.3 and hsv2 igg 1.2 or whatever they are. then I can see if you are likely to have a false positive and need a herpes WB or not.

your partner also will need tested to know his status. assume nothing!

if you both have hsv1, it's not really an issue other than never perform oral sex when an active cold sore is present to err on the side of caution.

You can get the risk to your male partner down to 1%/year if you really do have hsv2. Really reasonable odds without too much effort :)

grace

[newtothis118]

I did call this morning and this is the information that I received:

The blood test that they did was HSV1 and 2  IGG Type

I was tested twice:

1st test
Type 1 - greater than 5.0
Type 2 - 3.58

2nd test
Type 1 - greater than 5.0
Type 2 - 4.08

[gracefromHHP]

your hsv2 igg's are still under 5 so since you haven't had any obvious symptoms, confirming with a herpes WB is not a bad idea.

has your partner been tested yet or is he going for testing?

if you have hsv2 and he doesn't, if you avoid sex anytime you have anything going on genitally, use condoms properly and take daily suppressive therapy, odds are on average 99% likely that he won't contract hsv2 from you each year. If all you do is avoid sex anytime anything is going on genitally, odds are on average that he'd be 96% likely each year not to contract hsv2 from you. Very low risk overall even with the least effort :)

keep asking questions!

[newtothis118]

Hi Grace - At the risk of insulting you, I know my boyfriend will ask me what qualifies you to answer.  So - could you just help me answer him.  Thanks.  :-)

Also, I do not know what a herpes WB is.

I would definitely do the daily suppressive therapy, but condoms are not preferred by him.  I have read that condom use, while protective for women, make not as significant a difference to men.  Can you comment?  And, what would the % be for suppressive therapy, but no condoms?  And, since I have never had a breakout - at this point, there has been nothing to avoid (although I would still be cautious if anything felt funny!)

Thank you so much!

[newtothis118]

Also wondering what is the significance of numbers above or under 5.0.  Thanks!

[newtothis118]

I noticed my number got higher in the second test.  The second test was completed 2 months after the first test.

[gracefromHHP]

The herpes western blot is the herpes WB blood test. It's only done at the U of washington lab in the US. You can order it through quest labs #34534 . it's a send out for quest so your local quest lab might have to hunt a little to find it to send it out.

I'm a trained herpes patient advocate as well as a medical professional. I'm here as one patient to another.

it's less likely to be a false positive over 5. Under 5 and no symptoms, always best to confirm with additional testing to err on the side of caution.

[newtothis118]

Thank you again, Grace.  And thank you for being available to people like me!

I will consider getting the additional test done although concerned about cost.  I assume that the liklihood of a false positive is less because I had two positive tests?

This would be our plan, if he is able to move forward (he is very risk averse in all areas of his life!):  Caution if there seem to be any symptoms.  Daily suppressive therapy.  No condoms.  What should I tell him the odds are?  Are our odds improved because I have not had symptoms?

Is there anything else I should know or consider doing that I don't have the knowledge to even ask about???

Again, thank you.  Really.