Aa
Lifelong HSV-1....immune to HSV-2?
Hello. I have had oral herpes (officially tested positive for HSV-1 about a year ago showing antibodies. Same time tested neg for HSV-2 antibodies) almost my entire life. I may have an oral herpes outbreak once a year. Rarely does it ever occur but I do know it is HSV-1. I (I am a man) recently had unprotected sex with a woman that does have HSV-2. I have read in various places online that if you have HSV-1, you may have acquired immunity from a HSV-2 infection....although this seems to be somewhat controversial. In your professional opinion, do you feel that this would be true? With my lifelong HSV-1, is it unlikely I would acquire HSV-2 (especially if the individual had no visible outbreak).
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Dr. HHH and Dr. Hook believe that HSV I provides a small amount of protection against acquiring HSV II. I guess it depends on who you ask.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I do NOT agree that having HSV 1 gives you protection against HSV 2 - the opposite may well be true, but again, I don't think it is correct in any way to say that HSV 1 protects you with any degree of certainty from HSV 2.
If you were going to have an outbreak from that specific contact, yes, I believe you would have had it by now.
I hope that your partner is taking daily suppression to reduce the risk of infecting you by half.
Terri
If you were going to have an outbreak from that specific contact, yes, I believe you would have had it by now.
I hope that your partner is taking daily suppression to reduce the risk of infecting you by half.
Terri
?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A related discussion, allen77 was started.
Should I create a new post? Sorry, Terri.
Hey Terri,
I realize that I may be pushing my luck here, and I should probably be paying and starting a new question (which I will if this is not allowed).
A few years ago I had a break out, twice actually after sex with my girlfriend at the time, of a cluster of red spots with a black center. Almost looked like thorns within these red dots. I even recall an odor along with this breakout. They did itch slightly but not very painful at all. The girl I was with had a constant problem with bacterial vaginosis. I cannot recall the actual time frame of the results but I did test for HSV-2 shortly after the break out and the test did come back negative. The physician at the time was not sure what the break out was after doing a quick exam.
Does this at all sound like HSV-2? My guess it was a yeast infection of some kind.
I should have included these details when we were communicating last month. Thanks again for all you do. It is greatly appreciated.
I realize that I may be pushing my luck here, and I should probably be paying and starting a new question (which I will if this is not allowed).
A few years ago I had a break out, twice actually after sex with my girlfriend at the time, of a cluster of red spots with a black center. Almost looked like thorns within these red dots. I even recall an odor along with this breakout. They did itch slightly but not very painful at all. The girl I was with had a constant problem with bacterial vaginosis. I cannot recall the actual time frame of the results but I did test for HSV-2 shortly after the break out and the test did come back negative. The physician at the time was not sure what the break out was after doing a quick exam.
Does this at all sound like HSV-2? My guess it was a yeast infection of some kind.
I should have included these details when we were communicating last month. Thanks again for all you do. It is greatly appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, you are correct in that understanding. Most people with herpes actually do have some symptoms, albeit mild and subtle. They may misattribute their symptoms to something else, or have symptoms outside the specific genital area (buttocks, thigh, lower abdomen) that they miss.
Terri
Terri
Terri if I may ask one last question. I believe I read your other responses in regards to people not knowing they have hsv 2. Did I read correctly that it isn't necessarily that people have no idea that they are infected...rather the symptoms will be there and an individual just won't recognize them? Sorry for the question after you said you wouldnt reply anymore. Your work and advice is greatly appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your'e welcome
Thanks, Terri. So I am taking it like just because I have not had any symptoms (still none) doesn't particularly mean that I do not have HSV-2 from this (or any) exposure(?). :(
Ill have to get tested in 4 months then. Thanks for your help.
Ill have to get tested in 4 months then. Thanks for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you are going to have symptoms with a first HSV 2 infection, you would have had them by now. Not everyone has symptoms with first infection. Do you see my distinction? If you are still concerned, do an antibody test 4 months post exposure.
This will be my last response on this thread.
Terri
This will be my last response on this thread.
Terri
Terri...you still are confident that I would have had initial symptoms by now? I would never go around thinking I am immune. Not smart. Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is actually quite common for people to have both HSV 1 and HSV 2.
The research is somewhat mixed on whether HSV 1 provides any protection against HSV 2. Three studies say no, one says yes. I would simply not put money on HSV 1 offering the kind of protection against HSV 2 that one would want.
Terri
The research is somewhat mixed on whether HSV 1 provides any protection against HSV 2. Three studies say no, one says yes. I would simply not put money on HSV 1 offering the kind of protection against HSV 2 that one would want.
Terri
I greatly appreciate the response, Terri. Happy to know that I would have had symptoms by now and I do know what to look for despite them being mild or not. Thanks a lot and Happy New Year.
Still_Worried_: this is what I have read and learned myself but, I guess you never know. Again it is a controversial finding. Some say it doesn't matter, others say you will have one or the other in your life (very unlucky ones acquire both).
I have learned my lesson here. Take care.
Still_Worried_: this is what I have read and learned myself but, I guess you never know. Again it is a controversial finding. Some say it doesn't matter, others say you will have one or the other in your life (very unlucky ones acquire both).
I have learned my lesson here. Take care.
And if I may add to this...my unprotected encounter was about 20 days ago. Would I have had an initial outbreak by now? Thanks again.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
