HSV1 transmission - genital if partner has oral HSV1

[hmmkj]

Within last six weeks I was diagnosed with HSV1 Genital. I received oral sex with a parter and about a week later went to see a doctor based on irritation and sore and he took a swab that came back positive. My partner has never had a cold sore that he has noticed or marks in genital area. However, our assumption given timing was that it was from oral sex as he had had fairly recent oral surgery and we wondered if that may have provoked asymptomatic shedding. He recently received results back that he is HSV1 positive with antibodies from a blood test.

While we will never know 100% whether that was cause, he does have HSV 1 and my question is how protected is he as he already has HSV1 antibodies for sexual contact or intercourse (or other potential future partners with HSV1 orally) . What are the chances of genital-genital transmission in a case where partner has HSV1 orally.

Thank you for your consideration.

[hmmkj]

Thank you so much for your response and insight. It is very much appreciated. I just wondered if you could confirm what I believe I gather from above - that the same would be true for any potential future partner who also has HSV1 oral.

Thank you again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Good question.  Indeed, oral surgery (or facial plastic surgery for that matter) is well known to re-active oral herpes infections.  Thus I would bet this is related to your acquisition of genital HSV-1.

So next question - what about the possibility of your GH being spread back to him - not a concern.  He has a degree of resistance/immunity to his original infection which makes it very unlikely that you can spread the infection you got from him back to him at another location.  Further favoring your lack of transmission is that when HSV-1 causes genital infection, there is little risk of recurrence or asymptomatic shedding of your genital HSV-1, further reducing the likelihood that you will transmit your infection to others.

Bottom line - little to worry about.  I would not urge use of condoms or other protective measures other than to not have contact with his lesions should they be noted.  Hope this helps.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct although the degree of protection may be slightly less.  Some have suggested that people tend to develop more complete immunity to their own strain of herpes than to others. EWH