risk of transmitting HSV-1 infection in genital area

[peacelily]

Hello,

I have had genital herpes for about five years now. Initially I was on Valtrex every day to help limit the risk of spreading it to other sexual partners and to prevent outbreaks, and then I switched to acyclovir because it was more affordable, and now I only take acyclovir when I feel an outbreak may be coming.

My last partner was tested shortly after we became lovers, and he (while previously herpes-free) was diagnosed with HSV-1 and had an oral outbreak. I have only ever had genital outbreaks, though, so I am confused: could I have a type of HSV-1 that in my body expresses itself in the genital area, but for others' bodies in the oral area?

I also wonder, now, about the relative risk of various types of safer sex activities. If I perform oral sex on a partner, and they stay relatively far away from my genital area (where I have experienced my outbreaks) could I still pass on the disease from my mouth to their genitals?

[bobrope45]

So you don't know what type of Herpes you have? 1 or 2? How were you diagnosed?

[peacelily]

Interesting! My partner had the blood test done to determine what, if any, HSV he had. A test I didn't even know existed until he had it, and now I will get one too to be sure... I suppose I could have HSV-2 as well, and it simply didn't transmit to my partner when the HSV-1 did. Ay ay ay, this *is* confusing stuff. Thanks for having this forum.

[gracefromHHP]

unless you get an obvious cold sore to know that you also contracted hsv1 orally, no easy ( or cheap ) way to determine if you contracted it both orally and genitally when you were initially infected. What few studies we have on this show that anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who have hsv1 genitally, also contracted it orally around the same time. Hsv1 orally sheds more often than hsv1 genitally does.

how was your partner diagnosed as having hsv1?

Totally up to you and your partners what precautions to take. Make sure they get properly tested for herpes ( it's not a part of routine std testing but they might not know that ) and if they already have hsv1, it's not an issue. If they have hsv2, you need to be protecting yourself from hsv2. Discuss together based on their status if protected oral sex is something you both prefer to do or not to.

we don't know if daily suppressive therapy with antivirals helps to protect a partner from hsv1.

I know these aren't real clear answers for you but it's the best information I can give to you.  If your former partner really was negative for hsv1 prior and both kissed you and performed oral sex on you at any point in your relationship, odds are he contracted it from kissing you, not from performing oral on you but it could happen.

grace