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HSV-1 Questions
I had my first outbreak last week and tested positive on a culture for genital HSV-1. The nurse practitioner that I spoke to didn't give me very much information and the internet isn't much help either. I'm reading and hearing different things and don't know what to believe. Hopefully someone can help clarify...
1. Now that I have genital HSV-1, are my outbreaks limited to only my genitals or is it possible to have an outbreak in my mouth now also?
2. Even though I've never had a cold sore, is it possible to infect someone through my saliva? i.e. kissing, sharing drinks, etc.
3. Can someone who isn't infected become infected by giving me oral sex? Even if there's no outbreak?
4. Is it possible that I got infected by someone who gave me oral sex but didn't have a cold sore? Or is it more likely that I got infected by having unprotected sex with someone who had the virus but not an outbreak?
5. Do I need to change any habits? i.e. personal, hygiene, etc. no outbreak vs. outbreak?
6. Can HSV-1 turn into HSV-2 by repeat exposure, or would I have to be exposed specifically to HSV-2 to become infected?
7. How common is it to get an ulcer in the eye? Does it happen like an outbreak or do you cause it yourself?
8. If its so uncommon to transfer it to a partner if you use condoms, is it really necessary to tell them that I have it? Also, if I'm ever asked if I have a health condition, am I required to mention my HSV-1? Is it considered an important condition to be mentioned? i.e. spa, clinic, etc.
Thank you
1. Now that I have genital HSV-1, are my outbreaks limited to only my genitals or is it possible to have an outbreak in my mouth now also?
2. Even though I've never had a cold sore, is it possible to infect someone through my saliva? i.e. kissing, sharing drinks, etc.
3. Can someone who isn't infected become infected by giving me oral sex? Even if there's no outbreak?
4. Is it possible that I got infected by someone who gave me oral sex but didn't have a cold sore? Or is it more likely that I got infected by having unprotected sex with someone who had the virus but not an outbreak?
5. Do I need to change any habits? i.e. personal, hygiene, etc. no outbreak vs. outbreak?
6. Can HSV-1 turn into HSV-2 by repeat exposure, or would I have to be exposed specifically to HSV-2 to become infected?
7. How common is it to get an ulcer in the eye? Does it happen like an outbreak or do you cause it yourself?
8. If its so uncommon to transfer it to a partner if you use condoms, is it really necessary to tell them that I have it? Also, if I'm ever asked if I have a health condition, am I required to mention my HSV-1? Is it considered an important condition to be mentioned? i.e. spa, clinic, etc.
Thank you
Hi.
1. if its a recent infection (blood test would confirm this) its possible to contact it oral but not by giving it to yourself, it would be another sexual exposure. If its a long term infection, contracting it or through another sexual exposure, would be close to zero, if possible at all, as you would be basicly immune from the antibodies.
2. If you only have it genital, any oral contact would not be any risk of transmitting.
3. yes as shedding does occur but not very often.
4. most likely from oral sex.
5,. If you have many outbreaks you can take antivirals, other than that, nothing to change but hsv1 genital does not outbreak that often but depends on the person.
6. you have to be exposed to hsv2
7. not common and most often its from the virus traveling up the facial nerve.
8. You should inform all sexual parterners that you have it for their protection. But the upside is that app 65% of the adult population have hsv1 oral so contracting it in the genital area would be highly unlikely as mentioned above. Hsv is contracted by direct skin contact, either oral like deep kissing or genital from oral or vaginal sex.
1. if its a recent infection (blood test would confirm this) its possible to contact it oral but not by giving it to yourself, it would be another sexual exposure. If its a long term infection, contracting it or through another sexual exposure, would be close to zero, if possible at all, as you would be basicly immune from the antibodies.
2. If you only have it genital, any oral contact would not be any risk of transmitting.
3. yes as shedding does occur but not very often.
4. most likely from oral sex.
5,. If you have many outbreaks you can take antivirals, other than that, nothing to change but hsv1 genital does not outbreak that often but depends on the person.
6. you have to be exposed to hsv2
7. not common and most often its from the virus traveling up the facial nerve.
8. You should inform all sexual parterners that you have it for their protection. But the upside is that app 65% of the adult population have hsv1 oral so contracting it in the genital area would be highly unlikely as mentioned above. Hsv is contracted by direct skin contact, either oral like deep kissing or genital from oral or vaginal sex.
To answer some of your questions (I'm not a doctor, but have learned a lot about HSV I and II the past week):
1. HSV I is mainly oral herpes, the virus prefers to reside in the nerves near the head, but it can easily be transmitted to the genital areas, but its not the site of preference. You can contract genital HSV I to your mouth area (the virus is already in that area, but may be dormant).
2. I don't know about transmitting it through saliva, but the virus (both HSV I and II) can be transmitted even if you are not showing symptoms, through viral shedding... It is easier to transmit HSV I, a high percentage of people have HSV I since childhood.
3. I am not 100%, but yes, it is possible to pass HSV I to someone giving you oral sex (easier than transmitting HSV II to someone giving you oral sex) even if you are not showing symptoms, because of the viral shedding. The virus can shed, and you will not have symptoms. Also, due to the fact HSV I is more at home in the upper body then the lower body.
4. See # 1 and # 3, it is possible to spread it without showing symptoms (viral shedding). Many people have a form of HSV without ever showing symptoms.
5. Can't answer that.
6. HSV I and HSV II are two different viruses that share a lot of the same genes (?). When you contract HSV I (oral) genitally it will always be HSV I, as HSV II (genital herpes) will always be HSV II. The reason so many people are testing positive for HSV I genitally is due to oral sex! But... HSV I can be transmitted easier to the genital area than HSV II to the oral area. Also, I believe the genital outbreaks of HSV I are less severe than (genital) outbreaks of HSV II.
7. Can't answer that.
8. So I'm not sure how uncommon it is to transfer it to your partner when using condoms, since it can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. I also can't answer if you should tell your partner or not, but... HSV I is one of the most common viruses out there!! Most people contract it as a child, from kissing grandma, playing with kids, etc... It is nothing to be ashamed of... It is completely ok to tell your doc that you have oral herpes, they can put you on suppressive therapy like Valtrex or acyclovir... trust me, its completely ok to tell, but it is not required by law (at least in my state). The HSV test panel isn't even a part of the standard STD test panel anyway, you have to ask your doctor to test you for it in addition to the STD's that are commonly tested for.
I've had HSV I for over 10 years, I contracted it from my husband who had cold sores since he was a child, and now, I tell anyone who asks because there is a really really good chance they have it too!
That being said, HSV I (and HSV II even more) is so stigmatized. Yes, its in your body for life, but is so controllable with suppressive therapy. Don't beat yourself up over it... so many people have some form of HSV without EVER showing symptoms...
Hope that helped...
1. HSV I is mainly oral herpes, the virus prefers to reside in the nerves near the head, but it can easily be transmitted to the genital areas, but its not the site of preference. You can contract genital HSV I to your mouth area (the virus is already in that area, but may be dormant).
2. I don't know about transmitting it through saliva, but the virus (both HSV I and II) can be transmitted even if you are not showing symptoms, through viral shedding... It is easier to transmit HSV I, a high percentage of people have HSV I since childhood.
3. I am not 100%, but yes, it is possible to pass HSV I to someone giving you oral sex (easier than transmitting HSV II to someone giving you oral sex) even if you are not showing symptoms, because of the viral shedding. The virus can shed, and you will not have symptoms. Also, due to the fact HSV I is more at home in the upper body then the lower body.
4. See # 1 and # 3, it is possible to spread it without showing symptoms (viral shedding). Many people have a form of HSV without ever showing symptoms.
5. Can't answer that.
6. HSV I and HSV II are two different viruses that share a lot of the same genes (?). When you contract HSV I (oral) genitally it will always be HSV I, as HSV II (genital herpes) will always be HSV II. The reason so many people are testing positive for HSV I genitally is due to oral sex! But... HSV I can be transmitted easier to the genital area than HSV II to the oral area. Also, I believe the genital outbreaks of HSV I are less severe than (genital) outbreaks of HSV II.
7. Can't answer that.
8. So I'm not sure how uncommon it is to transfer it to your partner when using condoms, since it can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. I also can't answer if you should tell your partner or not, but... HSV I is one of the most common viruses out there!! Most people contract it as a child, from kissing grandma, playing with kids, etc... It is nothing to be ashamed of... It is completely ok to tell your doc that you have oral herpes, they can put you on suppressive therapy like Valtrex or acyclovir... trust me, its completely ok to tell, but it is not required by law (at least in my state). The HSV test panel isn't even a part of the standard STD test panel anyway, you have to ask your doctor to test you for it in addition to the STD's that are commonly tested for.
I've had HSV I for over 10 years, I contracted it from my husband who had cold sores since he was a child, and now, I tell anyone who asks because there is a really really good chance they have it too!
That being said, HSV I (and HSV II even more) is so stigmatized. Yes, its in your body for life, but is so controllable with suppressive therapy. Don't beat yourself up over it... so many people have some form of HSV without EVER showing symptoms...
Hope that helped...
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
