Exposure to HSV 1

[girls2]

Hi. I have posted this on the community forum but thought I would post here as well.  Approx 4 years ago I had unprotected sex with a male.  This included oral sex as well.  I have since found out that he has herpes.  I am unsure as to whether 1 or 2.  I do know that he has had it for 20 years and still gets OBs.  I went and got tested which came back negative for 2 and positive for 1.  I am unable to tell you the figures because they did not tell me.  My question is would the HSV1 more than likely be oral than genital?  I know that my grandmother often had coldsores.  The test was done through a sexual health clinic and they informed me that the tests were very reliable.  I have never, to my knowledge, had any symptons anywhere.  They have also done 2 swabs over the last couple of months.  The first because of my "tingling" and the second because of a pimple.  Both of these came back negative.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

One lat answer.  NO!!!!!

You are overly anxious.  It is now far past time for you to get over this and move on with your life. Further questions will be deleted without comment.  EWH

[girls2]

Please, one last question. Should I get tested for this? I am unsure of transmission rate sexually and don't want to pass it on if I have been infected.  Thankyou

[Edward W Hook, MD]

SAme for Australia.  EWH

[girls2]

It is not North America. It is Australia.  Do you have the same beliefs?
No further questions after this. Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, not an issue at all here in North America.  It is time for you to move on. No further questions please.  EWH

[girls2]

It is htlv not hiv.  Is this an issue at all?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your question is not part of your original question. One answer, then the thread shold end.  On average, following vaginal sex with an infected partner a  person has a less than 1 in 1000 chance of getting HIV.  EWH

[girls2]

Hi, just a follow up question.  What are my chances of contracting htlv through unprotected sex.  I have read conflicting reports about this disease.  Some say its not an STD and some say it is.  I really appreciate your feedback in this matter.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

My comment is based on the fact that he has genital herpes, thus would not be likely to transmit it to you with his mouth.  It is his genitals that are infected.  On the other hand, you have infection with the virus that preferentially infects the mouth, therefore are more likely to spread the virus with oral contact, even though you have never noted a cold sore..  EWH

[girls2]

I will post my results here tomorrow.  I am a bit confused by the fact that his chances of giving me HSV through oral sex would be lower than me giving it to him.  I have also never had a coldsore that I can recall.  Herpes is such a confusing virus and I am really doing my head in over this.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If you have oral herpes, it is possible that you could transmit infection to others but, as long as you do not have a cold sore or other lesion, ther risk is relatively low but not zero.  Hard to give a specific proability but, very low.

I agree that it sounds as though his is infection is HSV-2.

You chances of not have ing HSV-1 are slim, presuming that your test was a specific test such as HerpeSelect.  Over 60% of adults have it. I could provide more information if you can provide the number of your test result.  The higher the number, the more likely is is that you are infected.

If he doesn't get cold sores, it is unlikely that he would give you genital HSV-1 through oral sex (probably a bit lower than your chance of giving him HSV but both chances are low).

Hope this helps. EWH

[girls2]

Sorry, just another thought.  If he performed oral sex on me what are the chances of him giving me genital hsv 1.  He said he has never had a cold sore in his life. That is the last of my questions.  Thanks

[girls2]

I appreciate your feedback. Just another question. Now that I have found out I have HSV1 do I have to be careful in regards to giving oral sex?  The figures on how often you shed are conflicting on the internet.  Also, my thoughts on his herpes statis would be HSV2 since he still has OB's this far along.  Also, is there any chance of my HSV 1 being negative?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It is far and away more likely, given the history that you have provided, that you have oral HSV-1 infection than genital.  Oral infections are far more common and genital infections and the fact that you had a family member who had cold sores provides an obvious potential source for your infection.  Your negative swab tests, while by no means definitive, do strengthen the evidence that you do not have genital herpes due to HSV-1.

By the way, even if, by some fluke you turned out to have genital HSV-1, it is of little consequence.  Genital HSV-1 infections rarely recur and are not commonly transmitted to sex partners (in fact, this same reasoning is yet another reason that you shouldn't worry about having gotten genital HSV-1 from your partner of 4 years ago).  Hope this helps. You have little to worry about.  EWH