Worried

[Trevorcory]

Hi,

I feel very worried, which does not help my stress and anxiety problems regarding Herpes. Here’s my situation:

- I had a relationship on September 5th and 10th.
- It was protected for intercourse, but not for oral sex (received and gave).
- Around September 11th & 12th, my partner had cold sores on the mouth, which was diagnosed by her doctor as herpes, most likely HSV-1.
- She tested on September 16th for a blood test. Her last relationship before me was 8 weeks before her blood test. HSV-1 came back neither negative or positive, although she had cold sores on the mouth (as mentioned above). HSV-2 came back negative.
- I tested on September 21st. HSV-1 is positive, HSV-2 is negative. My doctor says that about 70 to 80% of people have HSV-1 (cold sores – oral herpes). Never had any symptoms what so ever, either mouth or genital.
- However, today, November 1st, I hope it is nothing, but I noticed a pimple on my scrotum. It is very small and really looks like a pimple that I would have on my face (like on my forehead). It is not itchy or anything, I just noticed it yesterday because I shaved. Should I go see my doctor ? As mentioned previously, I have HSV-1, but never had any symptoms, either oral or genital. It is possible that I had a cold sore when I was young, but do not remember. Also, since my partner's HSV-1 test is inconclusive, am I the one who transmitted to her even if I had no symptoms at all ?

Thank you for taking the time to read my questions or to answer them.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, it would.

This will be my last response to this thread of questions.

Terri

[Trevorcory]

The fact that I most likely had several cold sores when I was a child, therefore, oral HSV-1, my body would have created anti-bodies through time, wouldn't it ? Therefore, would it make me less probable to catch genital HSV-1 ?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, we commonly see herpes in the area between the nose and lip, or in the nose (nares) or on the chin.  And yes, the mostly likely mode of transmission is from an adult who had a cold sore kissing you.

My guess is that our summary of what happened her is most likely - you were shedding virus from your mouth, kissed her, and she got oral herpes. Has she had any genital symptoms?  Perhaps she only got it orally.  Of course, if she was kissing other people around that time, anyone could have infected her.  It is her equivocal index value on the blood test and the first presentation of symptoms ever in her life that lead me to think it was her first infection.

Terri

[Trevorcory]

This was her first cold sore, never had before in her life. Based on your explanation above, "people who have genital HSV 1 don't shed virus very often, so this scenario is less likely." Therefore, if I'm the one who transmitted HSV1 to her, more chances that I transmitted to by kissing her ? Regarding oral HSV1, would it be possible to have a cold sore not necessarily on the lips, but above, like between the upper lip and nose ? I noticed some pictures when I was a child and I had blisters-cold sores above my upper lip and between my nose. Could that be oral HSV1 ? As mentioned, my mother had several cold sores (less these days), perhaps I got it from a simple mother to child kiss ?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

OK, I got that mixed up, had she ever had a cold sore before?  What I meant was that you could have transmitted it from your mouth to hers as a new infection.  But I do see what you mean, there is also the possibility that you have HSV 1 genitally and since she gave you oral sex, got new infection on her mouth?  The thing is, people who have genital HSV 1 don't shed virus very often, so this scenario is less likely.  Usually, genital herpes symptoms, with an outbreak, last about a week or so.

Terri

[Trevorcory]

My partner had a cold sore and does not have genital herpes. From what it looks like, she has oral HSV1. As for me and that's what I'm scared of, is that I do not know for sure if I have oral HSV1 or genital HSV1. It is possible that I had a cold sore when I was a child, although do not remember. As for the red skin on my penis shaft, although my family doctor did not see this as genital herpes, how long would it stay if it would be ? Does it have a cycle (weeks, months) ?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

What I was saying was that if you have oral HSV 1, and gave her oral sex (which you said you did), you could have given her genital HSV 1 from your mouth, even if you had no cold sore present at the time.  This is actually not an uncommon occurrence in my practice.  And if you do have it orally, then it is unlikely that you will get it genitally.  About 56% of the population up to age 50 have HSV 1, yes.

Terri

[Trevorcory]

Furthermore to my explanation above. After examining me, my family doctor did not see any herpes situation/outbreak on my penis. But for me to understand, if a small red skin on my penis shaft would appear, how long would it stay ? Is it possible that because I'm freaking out right now over genital herpes HSV1 that I'm just noticing something that is not genital herpes in the 1st place ?

[Trevorcory]

Hi,

My partner's ex had cold sore, they were together for 15 years. It may look like I'm the one who infected her. I went to see my doctor to examine my pimple and he says that it's not herpes. I also asked him to check my penis shaft, as I see red skin on the back on my shaft, very light, but yet he examined and says that it's not herpes. He's my family doctor and trust him. He also says that most likely my HSV-1 is oral and that I may not remember that I had when I was a kid, since my mother has cold sores. I'm very worried and anxiety is affecting my life and I want to move on to other things. Regarding what I described above, should I worry abour genital HSV1 ? What do I do if I meet someone else ? Do I mention I have HSV1 even if I never or don't remember having any symptoms ? Is it true that 70-80 % have HSV1 ?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I'm unclear about exactly what happened with your partner and her cold sore situation.  had she ever in her life had a cold sore before?   With an equivocal result on her antibody test, she may well be having a first infection, which would suggest that she got it from you.  Further testing, if they show a significant increase in the index value of the test, would confirm that.  Since you do have HSV 1, then that confirms that you may be the source of her new infection.  If I had to guess at the situation, I would say that you infected her when you had no symptoms either orally or genitally (I'm guessing you also kissed her).  Ask me more questions as you have them, OK?

Terri