how cautious to be when it comes to HSV-1

I have been seeing the loveliest guys for about 4 months. I think i might have got genital HSV-1 through him, (or i assume) as when we actually met he had a cold sore on his lip and I have just been diagnosed with the virus. When he performed oral sex on me for the first time his cold sore was completely healed. I just want to ask - if anyone knows- 1) Could i have contracted the virus through him even when he had no cold sores present? And also, once my outbreak symptoms have completetly dissapeared...2) if he has oral herpes and i have genital herpes type 1, will we always have to use a condom? 2) can he still perform oral sex on me?

[LeapofFaith]

Let me give a shot at answering your questions:

(1) Yes.  It is possible (stress on possible, but not likely), that you could contract HSV-1 genitally from him if he is HSV-1 postive orally.  There is such a thing as viral shedding, where the Herpes virus is actively transmittable without any symptoms (such as cold sore), and it is possible that your partner was virally shedding when he performed oral sex on you at some point.  However, it is more likely that you would contract HSV-1 genitally if he had an open sore.

(2) Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of Genital Herpes (as in, blood test and genital symptoms / swab culture done on open sores)?  If so, it is best that you practice safe sex methods so as to avoid infecting your partner.  Again, even if you do not have visible symptoms of an outbreak, it is possible the virus is viral shedding, and could be transmitted to your partner through unprotected sex.  You should see your doctor and talk about your options, such as certain drug therapies that will reduce the shedding of the virus, etc...

(3) Yes.  Since he has HSV-1 orally he cannot become "re-infected" with it by performing oral sex on you.  But it can't hurt to use protection.

[gracefromHHP]

definitely you need to sit down and talk with this fellow about this.  odds are you did get hsv1 genitally from him.

what testing did you have done so far?

grace

[hsv_1help]

Thanks grace for you reply. I got the blood test and also the swab culture one and they both came positive. =(    I just really don't know what to do and feel really confused about the hole thing...

[hsv_1help]

Hi, your answers do help, thank you...
I do have confirmed diagnosis of genital herpes type 1 (as i mention above in grace's answer)... I have heard that viral shedding of hsv-1 genital to genital is very unlikely as its out of its domain. Is that right? I just think it sucks to have safe sex when you are in a monogamous "healthy" relationship =(

[gracefromHHP]

so your hsv1 igg was + as well as your lesion culture was + for hsv1?

grace

[hsv_1help]

yes grace thats correct

[gracefromHHP]

well then this probably wasn't a newly acquired infection if that is the case. Your igg wouldn't have been positive at the same time as the lesions if it was recently acquired.

grace