Aa
Thought I was home free
Dr.H,
I had posted this at the tail end of another thread probably inappropriately or two far down the thread list to be noticed and so have submitted this again. I apologize in advance for the repetition if you have already seen this.
As you may recall from my prior post a few weeks ago when I tested positive for HSV1 all indications were of a preexisting oral infection since I showed no symptoms (oral or genital) for almost 12 weeks following initial contact and more than three weeks from my last sexual contact before testing. Three weeks after getting back my results I again had oral relations with the same woman expecting I was protected by the positive results. She is positive for HSV1 orally, but also had some clustered blisters on her underarm which I noticed after we were done which would have deterred me, but probably are not germain to my question anyway.
Just four days ago, now 3 wks or so post my last sexual contact with my friend and four weeks following the return of my test results, following masturbation as was the case for another of your posters, I later noticed a superficial cut which looked like I tore or abraded the skin. Other than the irritation of abraded skin there was no pain. I put neosporin on it and overnight it was nearly gone, darkened and flat with my skin, and by today, day 4, almost undetectable except for a very slight scab.
It didn't seem to follow other patterns you describe:
"If it started as a bump, then blister, then open sore, herpes is a good bet" also from another post paraphrased ' if you get no symptoms in a week or two you are home free' and further, I had already tested positive. I also read from the Dermatologist on Medhelp that typically 'the herpes lesion cycle lasts from 7 to 10 days'.
Given that this was four weeks after a positive HSV1 test result presumed preexisting, 3 weeks after an exposure, healed almost immediately with neosporin and did not appear to pass through the bump, blister, ulcer to scab phases that I could see would your opinion of my safety remain the same or do you think this might be genital herpes. It was the only 'lesion' I have seen despite frequent examination and was very small.
I am very frightened by this as I thought perhaps I had dodged a bullet, but now am not so sure and am unwilling to resume sexual contact with my wife.
Also, for the benefit of my friend, could the clustered blisters under her arm be hsv1 or something else and need I be concerned by this.
I appreciate your clarity, candor and expertise and thank you again for all you are doing.
I had posted this at the tail end of another thread probably inappropriately or two far down the thread list to be noticed and so have submitted this again. I apologize in advance for the repetition if you have already seen this.
As you may recall from my prior post a few weeks ago when I tested positive for HSV1 all indications were of a preexisting oral infection since I showed no symptoms (oral or genital) for almost 12 weeks following initial contact and more than three weeks from my last sexual contact before testing. Three weeks after getting back my results I again had oral relations with the same woman expecting I was protected by the positive results. She is positive for HSV1 orally, but also had some clustered blisters on her underarm which I noticed after we were done which would have deterred me, but probably are not germain to my question anyway.
Just four days ago, now 3 wks or so post my last sexual contact with my friend and four weeks following the return of my test results, following masturbation as was the case for another of your posters, I later noticed a superficial cut which looked like I tore or abraded the skin. Other than the irritation of abraded skin there was no pain. I put neosporin on it and overnight it was nearly gone, darkened and flat with my skin, and by today, day 4, almost undetectable except for a very slight scab.
It didn't seem to follow other patterns you describe:
"If it started as a bump, then blister, then open sore, herpes is a good bet" also from another post paraphrased ' if you get no symptoms in a week or two you are home free' and further, I had already tested positive. I also read from the Dermatologist on Medhelp that typically 'the herpes lesion cycle lasts from 7 to 10 days'.
Given that this was four weeks after a positive HSV1 test result presumed preexisting, 3 weeks after an exposure, healed almost immediately with neosporin and did not appear to pass through the bump, blister, ulcer to scab phases that I could see would your opinion of my safety remain the same or do you think this might be genital herpes. It was the only 'lesion' I have seen despite frequent examination and was very small.
I am very frightened by this as I thought perhaps I had dodged a bullet, but now am not so sure and am unwilling to resume sexual contact with my wife.
Also, for the benefit of my friend, could the clustered blisters under her arm be hsv1 or something else and need I be concerned by this.
I appreciate your clarity, candor and expertise and thank you again for all you are doing.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"Yoy", who responded (below) before me, has me down pretty well.
First, you probably are entirely immune, and certainly highly resistant, to genital HSV-1 if exposed to someone's oral infection. (For the calculation below, assume a 10% chance--which actually is much too high.) Second, asymptomatic shedding of HSV-1 by orally infected people isn't all that common--not as frequent as for genital HSV-2, for example. (Assume a 1% chance.) Third, 3 weeks is too long a delay for initial herpes to show up. Occasionally it is that long, but most new infections cause symptoms within 3-10 days. (Assume 10% have symptoms delayed 3 weeks.) Fouth, your symptoms are not typical for herpes, as you suggest yourself. (Assume a 10% chance.)
So in order for you to have newly acquired genital HSV-1, 4 highly improbable events all have to come up the wrong way. What are the odds? Using the hypothetical figures above, it's 0.1 x 0.01 x 0.1 x 0.1 = 0.0000001. That's one chance in a million. That, in turn, is less than the chance you will die in some sort of accident in the coming week.
Of course, there is another possibility: Your existing HSV-1 infection might be genital, not oral. If so, you might have had a recurrence that became apparent after you irritated a spot where a herpetic recurrence was on the verge of starting. I doubt this, but it is far more likely than the chance you have a newly acquired genital HSV-1 infection.
Your partner's armpit skin rash is irrelevant to your risk level. If SHE is concerned about it (not you), she should see a health care provider. If she really has a cluster of blister-like lesions, herpes zoster (shingles) is much more likely than HSV.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
First, you probably are entirely immune, and certainly highly resistant, to genital HSV-1 if exposed to someone's oral infection. (For the calculation below, assume a 10% chance--which actually is much too high.) Second, asymptomatic shedding of HSV-1 by orally infected people isn't all that common--not as frequent as for genital HSV-2, for example. (Assume a 1% chance.) Third, 3 weeks is too long a delay for initial herpes to show up. Occasionally it is that long, but most new infections cause symptoms within 3-10 days. (Assume 10% have symptoms delayed 3 weeks.) Fouth, your symptoms are not typical for herpes, as you suggest yourself. (Assume a 10% chance.)
So in order for you to have newly acquired genital HSV-1, 4 highly improbable events all have to come up the wrong way. What are the odds? Using the hypothetical figures above, it's 0.1 x 0.01 x 0.1 x 0.1 = 0.0000001. That's one chance in a million. That, in turn, is less than the chance you will die in some sort of accident in the coming week.
Of course, there is another possibility: Your existing HSV-1 infection might be genital, not oral. If so, you might have had a recurrence that became apparent after you irritated a spot where a herpetic recurrence was on the verge of starting. I doubt this, but it is far more likely than the chance you have a newly acquired genital HSV-1 infection.
Your partner's armpit skin rash is irrelevant to your risk level. If SHE is concerned about it (not you), she should see a health care provider. If she really has a cluster of blister-like lesions, herpes zoster (shingles) is much more likely than HSV.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Let me see if I got this right-
you get tested and + HSV-1 but you think it is pre-existing and not related to ou sexual activity with your friend. Ok
Three weeks after test, another bout of oral sex from your friend who is HSV 1 + orally.
THe doc will tell you that since you already have HSV 1 you cannot get it again. So, the new sore would most likley not be HSV 1 on your genitals.
The symptoms do not sound like HSV-HSV does not almost heal over night. Doubtful you have it.
Could you get HSV-2 from your friends oral contact. THe doctor will have to answer that, but my memory seems to indicate that the FAQ section says you get HSV 1 form oral not HSV 2. But I'ld wait for the doctor.
Also, the doctor cannot give you 100% certainty that it is safe to have sex with your wife. YOu had oral sex with another person. You could get gonohrea or syphilis. Rare, low risk, maybe very low risk, but not no risk. With lack of symptoms you may be home free, but syphilis could take 3 months to develop symptoms. Again usually sooner, but do you want to be the exceptsion and pass that to your wife. It sound like you are three weeks from your last experience. You could get tested to rule all that out at this time I suspect. You see you are not dealing with an issue of whether you have it, but whether you want her to get it and whether you get caught.
you get tested and + HSV-1 but you think it is pre-existing and not related to ou sexual activity with your friend. Ok
Three weeks after test, another bout of oral sex from your friend who is HSV 1 + orally.
THe doc will tell you that since you already have HSV 1 you cannot get it again. So, the new sore would most likley not be HSV 1 on your genitals.
The symptoms do not sound like HSV-HSV does not almost heal over night. Doubtful you have it.
Could you get HSV-2 from your friends oral contact. THe doctor will have to answer that, but my memory seems to indicate that the FAQ section says you get HSV 1 form oral not HSV 2. But I'ld wait for the doctor.
Also, the doctor cannot give you 100% certainty that it is safe to have sex with your wife. YOu had oral sex with another person. You could get gonohrea or syphilis. Rare, low risk, maybe very low risk, but not no risk. With lack of symptoms you may be home free, but syphilis could take 3 months to develop symptoms. Again usually sooner, but do you want to be the exceptsion and pass that to your wife. It sound like you are three weeks from your last experience. You could get tested to rule all that out at this time I suspect. You see you are not dealing with an issue of whether you have it, but whether you want her to get it and whether you get caught.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
