Testing for HSV-1

[ilovemyjarhead]

A few months ago I had an unusual outbreak in the genital area. I was swolen, I had sores all over me, and I could barely walk. I went to the doctor and tested positive for HSV-1. The way she tested me was by a swab. I had no blood work done that day. I told my fiance about it and he went and got tested as well. He got punched & blood work done. Today he got his results back and he is positive for HSV-1 as well. I kinda already figured this, but what confused me is that they told him if he ever had an outbreak to put carmex on it. Which obviously means they think he's gonna just have a cold sore. So my question is, if the way you're tested is in the genital area and you test positive for something doesnt that mean that's where your outbreak will most likely occur? He's worried because he doesnt think they know why he was being tested and if he ever has an outbreak he doesnt know how to take care of it. After I found out I was positive I went and did alot of research to find out all I could about this and one of the things I read was that when you get HSV-1 in the form of cold sores, when it's inactive it rests in your body somewhere around your spinal cord in the back of your head. So if you were to get tested for that form of it wouldnt they do a test somewhere around your mouth? I hope this is making some sort of sense to you. I just didnt know if you tested positve for HSV-1 in one place if you could have an outbreak in another. Unless it was transfered there orally. Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to ask. Thank you for your time.

[Johndoe12358]

You would have to pass it each place with sometype of contact with an effected area.IE : No oral sex with signs or syptoms of herpes on the mouth or gentials

[gracefromHHP]

I take it your bf's blood test came back as hsv1+.  That just means that he has hsv1 but not where he has it.  Statistically if you can't recall symptoms either orally or genitally - it's most likely to be a hsv1 oral infection.  Only time will tell if he will ever have any obvious symptoms orally like a cold sore or not. Many of us contract hsv1 orally when we are little and unless you have a humdinger of an ob orally that causes you to not be able to eat and be seen by your doctor - chances are good that no one will remember it or even know that you had one.  

Since you both have hsv1, this really isn't an issue in your relationship together. Your recurrences should be few and far between. His hsv1 infection gives him significant protection against contracting it genitally from you. Just avoid sex whenever you have any genital symptoms and he's very unlikely to contract it from you.

grace