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Transmitting HSV-1 to genitals if both partners have HSV-1 orally
Hello.. I am a 29 year old female who has gotten cold cores since early childhood. I was blood tested; came back negative 3 times for HSV-2 but postive for HSV-1.
Questions:
1. My main question is can you tranfer HSV-1 to a partner in the genital area if you are both postive for HSV-1 orally? My docotor told me the chances were so low the risk is not to be much of a concern since you both have antibodies.
2. Is it possible I can have HSV-1 in my genital area by passing it to myself or from passing HSV-1 to someone else and then them passing it to me in my genitals? Again do my antibodies protect me?
3. If I were to be a carrier of HSV-1 in the genitals even though I have not had an outbreak and I date someone with HSV-1 orally are they protected due to the antibodies in thier system?
4. Should I avoid kissing and especially oral sex until I know the status of my partner using a blood test?
5. Why are doctors so confusing? Some tell me HSV-1 is not big deal and forget about it, just prevent skin to skin with an outbreak and others scare me to death of passing it all over my own body and to everyone I touch..which is it?
6. As far as dating negative partners HSV-1..should I avoid this to prevent passing it on? If I'm with someone negative should I take medicine to prevent shedding even though I don't feel I need it to control my cold sores?
7. How can I tell if its a cold sore or chapped lips? If my lips are chapped then should I treat them like I have a cold sore since there are cracks or bleeding on my lips or only treat a cold sore like a cold sore?
8. I was recently in a female-female relationship (my first one) with someone I really care about and I have told her I get cold sores, since she is a woman is it not true her chances of getting HSV-1 in the genitals is higher than a male. If she is HSV-1 postive is she protected?
Thank you in advance.I know this is alot and I am grateful for all your help :O)
Questions:
1. My main question is can you tranfer HSV-1 to a partner in the genital area if you are both postive for HSV-1 orally? My docotor told me the chances were so low the risk is not to be much of a concern since you both have antibodies.
2. Is it possible I can have HSV-1 in my genital area by passing it to myself or from passing HSV-1 to someone else and then them passing it to me in my genitals? Again do my antibodies protect me?
3. If I were to be a carrier of HSV-1 in the genitals even though I have not had an outbreak and I date someone with HSV-1 orally are they protected due to the antibodies in thier system?
4. Should I avoid kissing and especially oral sex until I know the status of my partner using a blood test?
5. Why are doctors so confusing? Some tell me HSV-1 is not big deal and forget about it, just prevent skin to skin with an outbreak and others scare me to death of passing it all over my own body and to everyone I touch..which is it?
6. As far as dating negative partners HSV-1..should I avoid this to prevent passing it on? If I'm with someone negative should I take medicine to prevent shedding even though I don't feel I need it to control my cold sores?
7. How can I tell if its a cold sore or chapped lips? If my lips are chapped then should I treat them like I have a cold sore since there are cracks or bleeding on my lips or only treat a cold sore like a cold sore?
8. I was recently in a female-female relationship (my first one) with someone I really care about and I have told her I get cold sores, since she is a woman is it not true her chances of getting HSV-1 in the genitals is higher than a male. If she is HSV-1 postive is she protected?
Thank you in advance.I know this is alot and I am grateful for all your help :O)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum and thanks for your question.
Responding first to the question as worded in the title you chose for it: People who have HSV of either type (HSV-1 or HSV-2) are immune, or at least highly resistant, to a new infection with the same virus type, anywhere on the body. If both members of a couple have oral HSV-1, it is very unlikely that they will infect the other on the genitals.
Now looking at your specific questions:
1) As just noted, your doctor is exactly right.
2) Self infection of a new body site is called auto-inoculation. It is rare in herpes, except during the initial infection itself. For the same reason as above, people with oral herpes rarely transfer the infection to their own genitals.
3) Irrelevant; you don't have and are unlikely to ever get genital HSV-1. And if you had it, anybody who has ever had HSV-1 will not catch it from you.
4,6) Testing partners in this situation usually isn't necessary or recommended. The risk of transmission is very low when you aren't having an outbreak, although it isn't zero risk. But testing is an option if the partner is concerned and wants to know for sure whether s/he is already infected with HSV-1. Suppressive antiviral therapy has never been studied for its effect in preventing transmission of oral HSV-1 infection, and HSV-1 is less responsive to valacyclovir and the other drugs than HSV-2, so it is hard to predict how well this would work or what dose of drug to take. I don't really see a need.
5) You are right that doctors' understanding of herpes -- both HSV-1 and HSV-1 -- is highly variable. It's a complex issue. But the doctors who mostly reassured you are the ones with the more accurate viewpoint.
7) The symptoms themselves are pretty reliable. Among other things, every oral herpes recurrence is generally in pretty much the same spot every time (give or take half an inch). More widespread roughness/irritation of the lips probably is just chapping, not herpes.
8) To my knowledge, genital HSV-1 is no more common in women than men. But for the reasons above, if she is HSV-1-positive, she is indeed protected from re-catching it from you or anywhere else.
Here are 2 other threads that discuss genital herpes due to HSV-1: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Recently-diagnosed-with-Genital-Herpes-HSV1/show/969931 ; http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV-1--devastated/show/1159077
Regards-- HHH, MD
Responding first to the question as worded in the title you chose for it: People who have HSV of either type (HSV-1 or HSV-2) are immune, or at least highly resistant, to a new infection with the same virus type, anywhere on the body. If both members of a couple have oral HSV-1, it is very unlikely that they will infect the other on the genitals.
Now looking at your specific questions:
1) As just noted, your doctor is exactly right.
2) Self infection of a new body site is called auto-inoculation. It is rare in herpes, except during the initial infection itself. For the same reason as above, people with oral herpes rarely transfer the infection to their own genitals.
3) Irrelevant; you don't have and are unlikely to ever get genital HSV-1. And if you had it, anybody who has ever had HSV-1 will not catch it from you.
4,6) Testing partners in this situation usually isn't necessary or recommended. The risk of transmission is very low when you aren't having an outbreak, although it isn't zero risk. But testing is an option if the partner is concerned and wants to know for sure whether s/he is already infected with HSV-1. Suppressive antiviral therapy has never been studied for its effect in preventing transmission of oral HSV-1 infection, and HSV-1 is less responsive to valacyclovir and the other drugs than HSV-2, so it is hard to predict how well this would work or what dose of drug to take. I don't really see a need.
5) You are right that doctors' understanding of herpes -- both HSV-1 and HSV-1 -- is highly variable. It's a complex issue. But the doctors who mostly reassured you are the ones with the more accurate viewpoint.
7) The symptoms themselves are pretty reliable. Among other things, every oral herpes recurrence is generally in pretty much the same spot every time (give or take half an inch). More widespread roughness/irritation of the lips probably is just chapping, not herpes.
8) To my knowledge, genital HSV-1 is no more common in women than men. But for the reasons above, if she is HSV-1-positive, she is indeed protected from re-catching it from you or anywhere else.
Here are 2 other threads that discuss genital herpes due to HSV-1: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Recently-diagnosed-with-Genital-Herpes-HSV1/show/969931 ; http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV-1--devastated/show/1159077
Regards-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Simple contact with saliva may transmit HSV-1, but generally the virus usually has to massaged into the tissues. That's why initial genital herpes typically starts at sites of maximum friction during sex: penis in men, vaginal opening and labia minor in women, etc. HSV is indeed transmitted through sports contact, especially among wrestlers ("herpes gladiatorum"), but probably abrasion is usually involved, not merely contact with saliva.
2) See my original reply: "People who have HSV of either type (HSV-1 or HSV-2) are immune, or at least highly resistant, to a new infection with the same virus type, anywhere on the body."
If your description of her views is accurate, your nurse obviously continues to misunderstand many aspects of HSV. Genital HSV-1 is not nearly the problem that HSV-2 is, because it causes less frequent recurrences, is uncommonly transmitted through sex, and does not increase susceptibility to HIV the way HSV-2 does. But neither you nor I can correct all the wrong ideas in this world. I have nothing more to say about it.
2) See my original reply: "People who have HSV of either type (HSV-1 or HSV-2) are immune, or at least highly resistant, to a new infection with the same virus type, anywhere on the body."
If your description of her views is accurate, your nurse obviously continues to misunderstand many aspects of HSV. Genital HSV-1 is not nearly the problem that HSV-2 is, because it causes less frequent recurrences, is uncommonly transmitted through sex, and does not increase susceptibility to HIV the way HSV-2 does. But neither you nor I can correct all the wrong ideas in this world. I have nothing more to say about it.
Hey...this is my last two questions before I end the thread...thank you if you do answer :O)
I did bring this to my nurse and we talked and from our talk I have these two last questions ( these are actually my nurse's questions..more than mine):
1. Can you pass oral HSV-1 orally through saliva..there are many mixed answers..some say its just skin to skin contact ..while others say its in the saliva? Which is confusing since HSV hides in a certain set of nerves..which has nothing to do with saliva and most dont even think you can pass HIV through saliva..is it the same risk level as passing HIV through saliva?
2. Without an outbreak..can you pass it to other parts of your partner's body..such as kissing your partner's chest in the same way you can pass it to them kssing or through oral sex without an outbreak? Or is the mouth and the genitals the places of concern when passing it without an outbreak? Also during at outbreak can you pass it let say to a partner's breasts..since you dont hear about people passing herpes this way through sex. I think this question comes from the spread of herpes in sports like wrestling.
Again thank you and yes I know I can't keep asking questions..so I aware after these two the thread is over. :O)
However I do feel I did not change my nurse's mind..she stated saying HSV-1 is just as dangerous as HSV-2 ..she keeps saying they are the same thing..there is no difference between the two so she considers HSV-1 a STD. She tried to say it is spread just as easily and the rise of HSV-1 in gentials is due to people's ignorance to shedding as opposed to people giving oral sex with cold sores and not knowing better. Also she still believes it is very easy to spread HSV-1 orally to genitals without outbreaks and says most people get HSV-1 in the genitals when thier partner does not have an outbreak.
Lastly she even told me someone kissing me on the cheeks is in just as much danger as kissing me on the lips...I was like wow..I should lock myself up and never leave the house!!!
I dont want to mention how she questioned your morals as a doctor :O(...I hate to see how she would treat someone with HIV.
Anyway I am thankful for your help..After some of my aniexty has given way..common sense has started to kick in and I agree with you on alot but I have made a peronal choice to only date others with HSV-1 for my own peace of mind :O)
Thank you again.
I did bring this to my nurse and we talked and from our talk I have these two last questions ( these are actually my nurse's questions..more than mine):
1. Can you pass oral HSV-1 orally through saliva..there are many mixed answers..some say its just skin to skin contact ..while others say its in the saliva? Which is confusing since HSV hides in a certain set of nerves..which has nothing to do with saliva and most dont even think you can pass HIV through saliva..is it the same risk level as passing HIV through saliva?
2. Without an outbreak..can you pass it to other parts of your partner's body..such as kissing your partner's chest in the same way you can pass it to them kssing or through oral sex without an outbreak? Or is the mouth and the genitals the places of concern when passing it without an outbreak? Also during at outbreak can you pass it let say to a partner's breasts..since you dont hear about people passing herpes this way through sex. I think this question comes from the spread of herpes in sports like wrestling.
Again thank you and yes I know I can't keep asking questions..so I aware after these two the thread is over. :O)
However I do feel I did not change my nurse's mind..she stated saying HSV-1 is just as dangerous as HSV-2 ..she keeps saying they are the same thing..there is no difference between the two so she considers HSV-1 a STD. She tried to say it is spread just as easily and the rise of HSV-1 in gentials is due to people's ignorance to shedding as opposed to people giving oral sex with cold sores and not knowing better. Also she still believes it is very easy to spread HSV-1 orally to genitals without outbreaks and says most people get HSV-1 in the genitals when thier partner does not have an outbreak.
Lastly she even told me someone kissing me on the cheeks is in just as much danger as kissing me on the lips...I was like wow..I should lock myself up and never leave the house!!!
I dont want to mention how she questioned your morals as a doctor :O(...I hate to see how she would treat someone with HIV.
Anyway I am thankful for your help..After some of my aniexty has given way..common sense has started to kick in and I agree with you on alot but I have made a peronal choice to only date others with HSV-1 for my own peace of mind :O)
Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm glad to have helped, but sorry to hear of your overreaction in regard to your relationship and hope you can repair things. Herpes is not important enough to ever let it interfere with romance and rewarding sex.
Clearly the PP nurse needs to learn more about herpes, perhaps especially HSV-1. You would be doing her a favor if you (diplomatically) were to copy this thread, and perhaps the others in the links, and send them to her.
Clearly the PP nurse needs to learn more about herpes, perhaps especially HSV-1. You would be doing her a favor if you (diplomatically) were to copy this thread, and perhaps the others in the links, and send them to her.
Thank you so very much :O) I did already talk to my own personal doctor and an individual at Planned Parenthood (not sure what his staus was..doctor or nurse) and all of you have given me every simliar answers so I am pretty sure I can move on past this and go back to the days when a "cold sore" was just a bother and not hampering my love life :O)
I did break things up with my female partner due to my fear of giving her genital herpes and this caused me alot of heartache because my feeling for her are far from causal.
The whole reason this was an issue was becasue a nurse at my OB/GYN told me HSV-1 was a sexually transmitted virus and I could not only pass it others but I could also pass it to myself in the genital area. She stated HSV-1 is herpes and no different than HSV-2 except people down play the risk which are the same. I instantly felt guilt over past lovers and my current love. I knew open cold sore wounds were dangerous but she made me feel like I should never touch anyone ever again...let alone kiss. My anxiety went through the roof and I could not beleive I was never informed I was so infectious because if I had known I would have remained a virgin, :0( However I knew some facts needed further explaination; I found it very confusing given the fact that I had cold sores most my life and I'm pretty sure as a child I picked at my cold sores and then touched every inch of body, including my genitals. If she was right then I was surprised I did not have it in eyes as well. I wish all medical professional were on the same page on this topic.
Now I feel ready to try to restart my relationship again without guilt; she is going to be tested for HSV-1 though she is sure she already has it due to past cold sores. She is doing the testing more for me than her. I am still anxious and nervous as far as causing her harm..I know the anxiety will not clear up instantly.
I did break things up with my female partner due to my fear of giving her genital herpes and this caused me alot of heartache because my feeling for her are far from causal.
The whole reason this was an issue was becasue a nurse at my OB/GYN told me HSV-1 was a sexually transmitted virus and I could not only pass it others but I could also pass it to myself in the genital area. She stated HSV-1 is herpes and no different than HSV-2 except people down play the risk which are the same. I instantly felt guilt over past lovers and my current love. I knew open cold sore wounds were dangerous but she made me feel like I should never touch anyone ever again...let alone kiss. My anxiety went through the roof and I could not beleive I was never informed I was so infectious because if I had known I would have remained a virgin, :0( However I knew some facts needed further explaination; I found it very confusing given the fact that I had cold sores most my life and I'm pretty sure as a child I picked at my cold sores and then touched every inch of body, including my genitals. If she was right then I was surprised I did not have it in eyes as well. I wish all medical professional were on the same page on this topic.
Now I feel ready to try to restart my relationship again without guilt; she is going to be tested for HSV-1 though she is sure she already has it due to past cold sores. She is doing the testing more for me than her. I am still anxious and nervous as far as causing her harm..I know the anxiety will not clear up instantly.
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.
