I am a female and I recently had my first genital outbreak of blisters during a time when I was sick and menstruating. They were not painful but itchy and began to scab over (4 of them bilateral). By the time I saw my gyno she said herpes culture would probably be negative because they were beginning to scab, but the culture came back positive for HSV-1. She said it was most likely due to oral sex. I had not had oral sex for at least 6 months prior to this outbreak (never with someone with an active cold sore or history of cold sores). I had bloodwork, she said they were negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM AND IGg. My primary care doctor reported a positive, but extrememly low, result for HSV-1 Igm meaning a primary infection. My confusion is I am not sure how this could have been contracted. All of my possibilities seem very unlikely. Is there one that seems more likely??
1.) 5/6 weeks prior to this outbreak, I had unprotected genital to genital contact with someone with no symptoms. I've read that the incubation period for genital herpes does not reach over 3 weeks?
2.) About 5 days before symptoms I used friend's towel after her, do not know her status. (I know this has been said to be extrememly unlikely if not impossible).
3.) About 5 days before symptoms-protected genital to genital intercourse with someone without symptoms or a history of them. Contact to genitals through saliva on his finger may have happened. (no cold sore present)
4.) Around the same time, kissing someone without symptoms--could the virus possibly be transmitted to my lips and then through saliva on my own finger genitally? Basically a simultaneous initial oral and genital infection?
So confused as all of these seem unlikely. I am considering getting another blood test in 6 weeks, but I know that cultures are basically 99% accuracte and the only chance of error would be human error. I know it is probably hopeless to figure out how I have contracted this-but it is causing me some distress. I have only had two partners and should have them both tested as a start, but also know that 60-80% of people will test for HSV-1 anyways. Thanks for your help..