I am confused...

[newtohsv1]

I recently was diagnosed with HSV1 genitally through oral sex.   The guy had a cold sore and a history of having them but failed to tell me about it.  I can't go back and change it but it would have been nice to have made the decision with all the facts.  I had an ob within 3 days of oral sex. It lasted for almost 14 days.

I went to my obgyn who prescribed me Valacyclovir.  She said i need to take this drug twice a day for 3 months and that after that I can resume a normal sex life without the need for condoms, and that I shouldn't have another ob...but if I have another ob to not have sex during and until I am completely done the ob.  Is this true?   I was separated at the time and have since reconciled with my husband.  Please help!  I do not want to pass this on to him like it was passed on to me.  

What are my options?  Do I have to have condom sex for the rest of my life?  

[gracefromHHP]

it's up to you two what precautions you take for sex.  

[newtohsv1]

I am only 5 weeks since my exposure to/diagnosis of ghsv1.

My husband wants to have intercourse, I am not experiencing an ob currently, can we have sex?  If so, precautions?

[newtohsv1]

I received my ghsv1 from oral sex..but I have not shown any sign of having it orally even though we kissed endlessly.

Can I still have it orally now too?  Would I have to have separate testing?  Or will I always only have ghsv1?

Thanks!

[newtohsv1]

Yes that makes sense...and it is a shame that there is always someone willing to take advantage of people desperate to cure themselves of what ails them.  

Researching and asking questions really is the best way to wrap your brain around any of this.

I am 41 and thought I knew how to protect myself..this will never happen to anyone else I know because I will be telling people about oral to genital transmission.

Thanks for all you do Grace, we all really appreciate it and those are not just empty words!

[gracefromHHP]

canker sores are not due to herpes. they are not contagious. that said, if you have an active canker in your mouth, not a good idea to perform oral on a partner for 2 reasons - whatever caused the canker might've triggered oral herpes to shed as well as a canker is an open portal into the body for germs and what is normal in the genital area isn't always so normal when introduced into an open sore in the mouth. make sense?

no, peroxide and uv light doesn't cure herpes. it's a snake oil treatment that doesn't work but relies on people being desperate and spending money on it for their herpes :(

[newtohsv1]

I have also read up on H202 and ultraviolet light treatment done on blood.  It is suggested that this can rid ones body of herpes.  Of course I am only reading everything because this is consuming my life!  lol

Also 35% Hydrogen Peroxide food grade.

Aren't these done for cancer patients?  

Any scientific research on these from your stance?

[newtohsv1]

When people talk about having canker sores is this a form of ohsv1?  I know cold sores are but never thought about cancer sores as being that.

So if it is ohsv1 and I have a "canker sore in my mouth" can I pass on ohsv1 to my partners penis?  

Man, there is a lot of info to know and consume in order to protect yourself and others.

[gracefromHHP]

antivirals just seem to work a little better on hsv2 than they do hsv1 ( and I do mean a little, really not a huge difference in their effectiveness for both types ). we don't know why as far as I know since all antivirals do is disrupt the viral replication cycle so that the virus is active for a shorter time.

[newtohsv1]

I read from a doctor that "HSV-1 often requires higher doses of acyclovir or valacyclovir than HSV-2.  If your symptoms haven't largely improved within 2-3 days of treatment, talk to your doctor to make sure you're on a large dose. "

I thought ghsv2 was worse than ghsv1.  I mean don't get me wrong they are both not something we want..and I know about the good/bad theory, but why would ghsv1 require a higher dose?

[gracefromHHP]

once you have hsv1 on one body part, you have significant protection against contracting it on other body parts. It's not 100% but it's up there.

[newtohsv1]

So if my husband has ghsv1 and I have ghsv1 then we do not need to worry about protection; condoms?  And we would only be having sex if we are not having an ob obviously.

What if he has ohsv1?  Can he still catch ghsv1 from me or can it change into ghsv2 for him?

I find my doctor's are not really up on the latest, since she told me after 3 months I would be clear.

[gracefromHHP]

yes he can have hsv1 orally and not know it. statistically, even in canada, 1 out of every 2-3 peope has hsv1 orally but only 20-40% of them get obvious cold sores to know it.

he'll need a type specific herpes igg blood test done.

[newtohsv1]

Morning Grace,

We are in marriage counseling. I am trying to tell him the facts but all he hears is that I was with someone and I have herpes.  I understand his shock and I understand his disappointment.  

He can have ohsv1 and not know it right?  And the blood work up would tell us this as long as we do typing?  What test does he need done?  IgG?

[gracefromHHP]

are you two by chance seeking out marriage counseling?

if you have hsv1 genitally and he has it orally, he's not likely to contract it genitally from you.

herpes testing in canada can be difficult. type specific testing is done if your provider tries to tell you it isn't.

[newtohsv1]

Hi!

I am 41 and already have children so we are good and done there.

There is so much confusing and conflicting info out here..right?

I know there are no clear answers and each case is different.

I have ghsv1 and my husband doesn't want it.  He is freaking out right now and I am trying to reassure him but it is not going so well.

Thanks for reaching out I appreciate it

[UKlady1001]

My point about having 2 children is they dont have to catch it during birth as long as you are ob free.  Make sure your doctor is aware.

[UKlady1001]

A man wearing a condom isnt going to stop him from catching herpes due to the area of your ob touching his genital area.  Eg scrotum etc.,  It is skin to skin down there.  However, you are very likely to know when an ob is iminent and therefore can abstain around that time.  
I have had Herpes for 27 years and tend to get a clear warning.  I do use supressive therapy which is usally effective but breakthrough outbreaks can occur, however, again you will usually know when they are coming and learn to be very aware of your body.
I have had 2 children and neither they or thier fathers caught herpes during long relationships with me.  
Be vigilant and know your body.  Try not to worry.  The less stress the better.

[newtohsv1]

We live in Canada, so what should he be tested for?  

So hypothetically, if he is tested and comes back all clear then what?  Can he catch hsv1 genital herpes from me without the use of condoms but while taking Valacyclovir?  

What if he also has HSV1?  But orally?  Can there be a chance of him then catching it genitally?

I know we are dealing in what if's but they help me to know.

[gracefromHHP]

hsv1 genitally tends not to reoccur much in general. we don't recommend daily suppressive therapy routinely for it - not much bang for your buck. Only time will tell if you get a recurrence of it or not.

you will need to be upfront and honest with your husband about this. he'll need testing to see what his status is before you two can make educated decisions about what precautions to take together.

[newtohsv1]

Hi Grace,

She first diagnosed me with a yeast infection and gave me antibiotics but I went back insistent that she take a swab and a culture because I had been reading up on herpes.  She took a culture on a slide and swabbed me.  She gave me Valacyclovir as a precautionary.  

I waited a week and the culture came back positive for HSV1.  She told me to continue the Valacyclovir for 3 months and come back for more testing.  During this time she told me to have sex if I was not in an ob but only with a condom.

I have since reconciled with my husband and I am scared, ashamed and embarrassed to tell him I was with someone else and that I have herpes.  He knows I have an "infection" and that we are not having sex right now.

Is there a chance he could get HSV1 from vaginal sex without a condom...he does not perform oral on me but likes me to on him.

Thanks for doing what you do here...it is a huge service!

[gracefromHHP]

I have no idea why your gyn has recommended what they have. It has absolutely no basis in any known science about herpes. you still shed herpes periodically for a lifetime, just treating it for 3 months will do nothing.

has your partner been tested to know his own status? If not, that's your next step.

did you have a lesion culture that was typed as being hsv1?

grace