Oral Herpes

[arihant]

Hello,

I just got my blood results back and was informed I have HSV-1 virus. I do not how or when I got it and I have several questions about it.

1) What are the symptoms of this infection?
2) How often would it recur?
3) What can I expect if and when it recurs in the future?
4) What are the possible ways of transmitting this virus as I have a one month old baby?
5) Should I be concerned for the baby's safety?
6) How bad is this virus? Is this virus like chicken pox in that it is ok to get it and will not cause a problem for our health or our lifestyle?
7) I usually perfom oral sex on my wife. Should I discontinue this? (I do not know if she has it as well)?
8) Can it affect the genitals?

Thank you for your help.

[flguy21]

I am 23 yrs old and I recently came down with strep throat. (Did I even have strep throat? My doctor didnt test me and gave me antibiotics because at the time I had a 103 fever, swollen lymph nodes, white puss on my toncils, bad breath, etc so all the signs for strep but I didnt have any sores in my mouth)Is there a chance it was just the oral herpes the whole time or could it have been strep at first, and then oral herpes crept in? Within two days after I had strep (if I did), I began getting all kinds of canker sores in my mouth, and ended up with at least 10-15 and 2 or 3 on my lip. This was so brutal, I couldnt eat, drink or sleep for over 4 days. I have never had a cold sore in my life before this. My question is, how much will this effect my life now? What are the chances that I don't see much of this again? Do I have to tell a partner I have "herpes" because it isnt an STD? I am worried about this and I don't understand how I got it so bad and where it came from. Thanks

[lizziecee]

CBrohn's) I occasionally look into your forum for some new take on meds etc. I just loved your comment as to why patients don't ask their doctors questions! Here in England it was not quite the done thing - Doctors were Gods. I also have breast cancer, and just wish I had a doctor like you that can communicate sensibly and with truthfullness with patients.
Many thanks for your replies - you rock!

[lizziecee]

Sorry, my message got screwed up - I initially wanted to say I have severe psoriasis, as a result of Crohn's; that is why I look at your forum.
Thanks. Liz.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1) What are the symptoms of this infection?
Cold sores.
2) How often would it recur?
On average, 3 times a year, but it varies.
3) What can I expect if and when it recurs in the future?
Recurrent cold sores.
4) What are the possible ways of transmitting this virus as I have a one month old baby?
Kissing the bay when the sore is fresh.
5) Should I be concerned for the baby's safety?
No, not if you take care to avoid #4.
6) How bad is this virus? Is this virus like chicken pox in that it is ok to get it and will not cause a problem for our health or our lifestyle?
So many people have cold sores-- you must know a few.  If you do, you know they're otherwise healthy.
7) I usually perform oral sex on my wife. Should I discontinue this? (I do not know if she has it as well)?
Only if you have an active sore.
8) Can it affect the genitals?
Yes, but it's less common.

Having a positive HSV-1 test only means you have been exposed to the virus somewhere on your body, not necessarily the mouth, at some point.  It doesn't by itself mean much of anything.

I have a question of my own: Don't people ask their doctors questions, especially basic ones like these?

Dr. Rockoff