HSV-1 Contracted Orally but manifesting genitally

[ruhroh001]

Hi - I am grappling to understand what has happened here and am completely confused as to how I am to proceed, so your advice is appreciated.

Early last week, I had two small abrasions appear on the side of my penis.  There was no discharge, no pain, it looked like I had been "rubbed raw", or just a small injury.  Due to some things that have been going on in my life, I decided to have a physician check them. I saw a nurse practitioner and she said they didn't look like an STD but we agreed a blood and urine test was appropriate.

That weekend, I stupidly had unprotected sex with a female, oral and vaginal.  I had both oral and vaginal sex with this woman prior to this manifesting itself as well.

I got the call this morning that my tests came back positive for HSV-1.  The nurse practitioner is telling me that I would have had to have contracted this through oral sex. Why I am manifesting this on my genitals is beyond me.  As I type this, the two "bumps" have healed.

I am sitting here trying to grapple with what this all means, and the internet is truly no help.

Is it possible I could have contracted this by performing oral sex on this woman?   Have I infected her genitally by having oral or vaginal sex?

What do I need to worry about in the future??

When I was in my early 20's, I dated and was in love with a woman who had HSV, whether 1 or 2 I have no idea. She managed things well, and because I loved her I stuck around.  The NP is telling me I could have been carrying this for years and never known, and its now manifesting itself due to stress.

I feel like  loaded gun.  I am alternately upset that I may have been infected, but at the same time I am even more afraid of infecting this woman.

How difficult is it to pass what sounds like an oral strain through vaginal sex??


Please tell me how I should proceed!!!!

Thanks.

[ruhroh001]

I have a positive antibody test for HSV-1. There is no way for them to determine when I received it.....and for the life of me I am struggling to remember when the last time was prior to this that I received unprotected oral sex.

I had no pain, no irritation and just three small bumps, two of which went away in days and one which is almost gone.  based on some of the symptoms Ive heard of, I don't have any ot them. Even them wond had no discharge.  

I think the physician said Im not contagious.  I am not "shedding", but until the wound heals I should use a condom and not allow anyone to perform on me, although I can perform oral sex on them............unprotected.

I can't believe that I may have infected someone.   How likely is it I have? Is this a slam dunk?  Man this SUCKS.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think you could let her know that you tested positive for HSV 1 but don't know if your infection is oral or genital.  It would be good if she got tested also.  If she has had recurrent cold sores in the past, she very likely has it already.

If you had sex with this new woman just shortly after your blood was drawn, and you were positive, you didn't get it from her.  I'm just not sure about the timing of everything in your history.

Terri

[ruhroh001]

Can I get some feedback before my visit today.....................please???

Im also going on a short trip with this woman this weekend. Not sure If I should even tough her...or for that matter if she is the one that gave it to me!!!

Im coming unglued here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ruhroh001]

im seeing my physician tomorrow for more definitive information.  The "wounds" on my penis were gone in a week.  There was no discharge, no pain..nothing really.

I just need to know whether I may have infected this woman over the weekend with this.......and what precautions I need to take with women in the future?  

I have never had a cold sore that Im aware of.  I understand that this is not the scarlet letter it used to be (if it ever was), but I need to know how to proceed with sexual contact and women in the future?

Any other specific questions you might have for me to ask my physician would also be appreciated.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you were the receiver of oral sex, yes, you could have genital HSV 1 infection.  

Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip?

With only a positive antibody test, it isn't possible to know where you are infected - orally or genitally.  Also, I would encourage you to check and be certain that your antibody test index value is >3.5. Below that level, there are some false positives.

Terri

[ruhroh001]

I am just going on what I was told by the nurse practitioner and based on my test results. Regarding oral sex I would have given and received. I am really having a hard time understanding how this happened!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Whoa.  Hold on.  56% of the US population has HSV 1.  That's more than half the population!   Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip or in you nose?  It is possible that your infection is genital, yes, but you've jumped from non-specific symptoms on your penis to believing that you have genital HSV 1 and have possibly infected someone else in this process.  

When you say you had oral sex with the woman, were you the giver or receiver of oral sex? Giving oral sex would not put at risk from someone else's oral herpes.

Terri