HSV-1 genital transmission

[sweetie1961]

11 days ago I developed a cold sore on my lip and the next day developed stomatogingivitis. I had a single ulcer inside my cheek and a tiny bump on my tongue. I had a low grade fever and tender cervical lymph nodes. I took 2gm Valtrex twice, twelve hours apart. I was travelling and did not see a physician. I took a friend's medicine.  This outbreak occurred 4 days after kissing a new partner and receiving oral sex.  I had a little urinary urgency but no real burning. I am assuming I had HSV-1 urethritis and a primary HSV-1 infection in my mouth. I had never had a cold sore before.I saw my gynecologist when I returned to town, 6 days after the cold sore erupted. The cold sore at that time was scabbing over and the lesion inside my cheek was still a yellow blister.  

He examined me and saw no vaginal, cervical or labial lesions and said my urethra looked normal. I was no longer having urgency. I had no vaginal symptoms. This exam took place 5 days ago.  He cultured the lip and cheek lesions and both came back negative for HSV-1. He drew blood (specific type) for HSV 1 and 2 and both were negative. I truly believe that I must have had a primary herpetic stomatogingivitis because I had a low grade fever and swolen lymph nodes in my neck at the time of the oral breakout. I am certain that the antibodies have not had time to multiply to show a positive test.

The ulcers inside the mouth are gone. I have a tiny (2mm) scab on my upper lip which has sloughed off and rescabbed a few times. The initial symptoms from all of this began 12 days ago. I am asymptomatic now.

Yesterday, I had sex, oral and vaginal, with a new partner. I had gotten a clean bill of health from my Gyn and only had a 2 mm scab on lip. My gyn told me that by this point they are not contagious.  

I am still concerned that I could have given something to my partner last night through the tiny scab on my lip or through my saliva. I never thought about the saliva being infected but I read something online about that.

Do you think I could have given him genital HSV-1 through oral sex last night? Day 12 after the initial outbreak with a tiny scab on lip?

I realize this was a lapse in judgement to even be with him but I did not think I was contagious. I am having morning after remorse and worried. I appreciate your help.

[gracefromHHP]

too late for valtrex to  be of any help.

grace

[sweetie1961]

Thank you so very much, Grace.

I have one more question (sorry).  If he doesn't know if he has had cold sores, is it of any benefit for him to take a prophylactic dose of Valtrex today? Or would he already be infected. The encounter was last night.

Again, thank you so very much. This will be my last question on this thread.

[gracefromHHP]

we'd only be guessing as to his risk, absolutely no way to even put a guestimate to it.  

if he has a history of hsv1 orally, his risk of contracting hsv1 genitally is incredibly low.

if he is going to get obvious symptoms, they would occur within 2-20 days.

grace

[sweetie1961]

I am waiting for a return phone call from him but would like to be prepared to answer his questions.

1) if he has never had a cold sore, what are his chances of getting genital HSV-1?

2) If he HAS had cold sores what are the chances of getting genital HSV-1?

3) how soon will he have a breakout if he is going to?

Thanks you for your help.

[sweetie1961]

Thank you for your prompt response. I will talk with him ASAP.

[gracefromHHP]

if you performed oral sex on him last night then indeed he might've been at risk. you did treat your hsv1 oral infection which likely reduced shedding but if this truly is a newly acquired infection for you, you might shed for awhile. the rules are a little different for newly acquired infections.

Of course your lesion cultures would be negative - you took valtrex prior to the swabs!

If this is a newly acquired infection, it won't show up on blood tests for a few weeks/months.

Best thing you can do at this point is talk to your new partner about this. find out if he's ever had herpes blood testing or can recall ever having had cold sores himself.  

grace