hsv 1 transmission

After 15 years from my primary infection of oral herpes I had my first recurrance. As far as i know, I do not have it down below. At this point I am married and have been for ten years. I failed to disclose this to my wife as i wasn't having outbreaks and thought possibly that my initial infection was impetigo as I have had this before in the same place under my lower lip. Quite honestly, I forgot all about it. Having to explain this to my wife and family has been a challenge. I doubt that I will have many recurrances due to the lack of them in the past. My question now is on my wife's behalf without her knowing. What is her risk of being infected without obvious lesions? I have read every article on the net referrring to asymtomatic viral shedding and i understand that I could shed virus 1.7% of the time. How is that measured? Is this true considering the length of time that i have had this? Does viral shedding decrease over time??? Also, what are the risks of transmitting genitally asymptomatically? Then there are my two children whom I kiss all the time. Do i avoid kissing them? I am extremely paranoid of giving this to them. I think my questions are, how do we get back to normal or is change necessary to avoid infecting them? Valtrex daily is out of the question, it makes me very constipated and i just dont think i could afford or stick to that program. - Please help.
- Despaired

[hopeful969]

HSV-1 orally sheds 18% of days, not 1.7%. GO to www.westoverheights.com for more info. I dont think telling your wife about cold sore should be stressful, most people have it!

[gracefromHHP]

At this point your wife can get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what her own status is.  if she's negative, you already know that being together this long and taking no precautions while not perfect, has been working for you.

no need to test the kids and depending on their ages, might not be an accurate blood test available anyways.  just avoid kissing them when you are sick and/or have obvious cold sores present and while not perfect, is pretty darn good. If they are infants, don't put their pacifier in your mouth or share food/drinks with them or prechew their food.


www.ashastd.org has terrific info on hsv1 orally under their herpes section for more reading.


grace