genital HSV-1 transmission

[justwondering_]

I contracted HSV-1 genitally 15 years ago, and have not had an outbreak since.  My 3 year old just got sick and now has cold sores in and out of his mouth.  Could I have given it to him even though I haven't had a outbreak in that long?   I was told that I could have if he was between my belly button and knees, which he is at times when we are in a rush and take a shower instead of him in the bath.   I was told the chances are low with HSV-1 compared to HSV 2.  Also, I had a really bad yeast infection about three weeks ago. Could that have masked a minor outbreak?  I have awful guilt over this...

[justwondering_]

No swabs were taken. The md didn't think it was worth it because the first child's were drying out, and the second was not as bad, and either way he wouldn't do anything different.  My babies symptoms were not the same.   The first one had really bad ulcers in the mouth, tongue, made the lips really swollen and eventually got a few outside of his mouth in his chin area.  He was miserable, and couldn't sleep because of the pain.  I had to give lidocaine every 2hrs.  The second one is just really tired, and has one lesion just to the right of the corner of the mouth and thats it.  Now my husband is exhausted, has a temp and a sore throat.  Could this really be the herpes virus?  This just seems crazy.  Maybe I should have insisted on a swab, but I could have bloodwork done later on right?

[gracefromHHP]

They do any swabs of the oral symptoms or is this just all visual diagnosis?

2 children in one family having the same symptoms is more likely something non-hsv1.

grace

[justwondering_]

Ok, well the plot thickens! My other child has it now!  Apparently, it is herpes stomatitis, and is very prevalent in children, and they can pick it up quite easily because the antibodies they receive from me have decreased by this age.  The MD agrees that she couldn't have gotten it from me.  Thanks for your help.  

[justwondering_]

Thanks for the support.  I will keep you posted...

[gracefromHHP]

you absolutely , positively did not give your child hsv1 orally from showering with her!!!  It's a contact virus which means she'd have to perform oral sex on you to get it orally from your genital herpes ( sorry for that visual - just pointing out that that's what it would take to transmit your genital herpes to her mouth! ).

Either you or your hubby could have hsv1 orally even if neither of you have ever experienced obvious cold sores that you are aware of. She also could've gotten it from any caretaker or playmate too.  It also could be another virus like coxsackie or herpangina too. following up on this with her doctor in the morning is the best thing to do for better answers. If they suspect hsv1 orally,ask them to take the time to do a lesion culture on the lesions to confirm it.

keep us posted on how the appointment  goes :)

grace

[justwondering_]

I didn't have her tested for HSV 1 just by appearance but in doing research, I am wondering if it is coxsackie?  going to mds in am.

[justwondering_]

Also, I am wondering if it is coxsackie virus?

[justwondering_]

No, I do not have oral, and my husband does not have either.  

[daisy315]

Do you have HSV1 Orally as well ?
I'm not terribly sure what the transmission risk would be to a child in this showering scenario,but I would imagine the possibility of transmission was there how high it is I have no idea,sharing a shower with your child knowing you have Genital HSV1 isn't the most sensible thing to do which I would have thought you would have known since I assume you are aware of transmission risks regardless of any visual outbreak,it is possible the virus got on to his skin at some stage during the whole washing and drying process,although I'm not 100% on this I've not heard of a situation like this before .....

Daisy