Me HSV 1+ and Boyfriend HSV 2+

[Miranda71]

I had been with a man for 7 years who has HSV.  Not sure if it's I or 2 as he was only diagnosed by visual inspection of an outbreak about 20 years ago.  He takes daily therapy, Valtrex, I believe and we had unprotected sex on many occassions.   I have been tested over our time together and have always tested negative.   We split up for about 2 years and recently got back together.   I had STD testing done at my annual ob/gyn appointment and tested positive for HSV I but was negative for HSV 2.     I dated two men during our time apart.    I am now more concerned (due to maturity I guess) about contracting HSV 2 from him or transmitting HSV 1 to him.     I'm surprised that I have tested negative for HSV 2 all these years since he and I were together so long.  We, of course, never had sex when he had an outbreak which were very rare anyway but I know you can shed the virus at any time.       How concerned should I be?  Precautions?  What do you recommend I do?    I've never had a cold sore and would assume I contracted this within the last year or so since I just now tested positive.   Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Miranda71]

Thanks for the info. I am definitely going to ask him to get type tested so we know where we stand. Luckily, I have never had a cold sore. I was quite surprised to receive the diagnosis but know that sometimes people are positive without having had an outbreak.

I have not heard about the herpes handbook but will check it out. Thanks again for the info.

[gracefromHHP]

have you and your partner ever read the free herpes handbook at the westoverheights website?

grace

[Mistakeguy789]

First off visual diagnosis is wrong 1/3 of the time.  He should go and get a type specific herpes igg test to see what type of HSV he has.  

HSV-2 when someone takes daily therapy and avoiding sex during outbreaks will give you a 96% per year of not having the virus transmitted to you.  

As for your HSV-1 you should avoid giving oral sex/kissing when you have a cold sore.  If you worry of transmitting your HSV-1 to him (and he truly only has HSV-2) then that is what you need to do.  You can use a condom for oral sex if you want to reduce his risk to 0.  

Getting him tested is important because if he really has HSV-1 then your precautions change because he is highly resistant to getting the infection at a new location as he will have antibodies for fighting off the infection.  You shouldn't have oral sex or kiss during a cold sore but shedding is less of a risk for him.