oral hsv 2 - questions

[Boleta14]

Hi, it started with a sore throat , then ultimately white coloration of my tongue, legions on my gums, tongue, roof of mouth, inner cheek. Eating and drinking, even talking, created the most excruciating pain. Lymph nodes in my neck swelled which caused all around pain in my neck, back of head, temples, headache. Doc tested my blood for various things including mono, epv, and herpes . Tests came back indicating (1) bacterial infection and (2) HSV 2 Herpes. I tested negative for HSV 1. Herps test result: HERPES II AB IGG,SERUM >=6.00. . Fact is, I have oral HSV 2. It's been going away almost 1 week after initial sore throght started w/o taking any antivirals, however, I am taking antibiotics for the infection. I know it's rare, so I don't need an expert telling me the obvious. Fact is, I have oral HSV 2. The crazy part is, I've been married for 6 years with only 1 partner. How the heck did I get this? I have no idea. Maybe a greeting kiss with someone, or utensil or something..I have no clue. Regardless, I have it now

I understand that during a re-occurrence/outbreak (which is supposedly rare), I am very contagious and should obviously avoid intimate contact. My questions are: when I'm not having an outbreak and the virus is just dormant, can I spread oral HSV 2 to my wife by kissing her? If so, what are the odds of that happening, any data/studies out there that advise on this? Also, if I only have oral HSV 2, can I spread it to my wife by having unprotected sexual intercourse with her (just the intercourse alone, assume no kissing) and if YES, could my oral HSV 2 become genital HSV 2 on my wife? I guess the same goes vice versa, if I spread oral HSV 2 by kissing, can she get genital HSV 2 or only oral HSV 2? Any info is appreciated and if you could kindly provide any studies or backup, I would highly value it.

Any recommended alternative medicine to suppress the virus? As opposed to taking prescription anti-virals that can carry potentially serious side-effects.

Thank you for your time.

[TiminBoston]

Count does to up over time.  During the first outbreak the count would register negative almost every time. Normally people test positive within 3 months of that first outbreak. In fact, all if the studies that exist are based on the time it takes to convert after first outbreak NOT after infection. It's much easier to pin down when the 1st outbreak occurred vs the actual infection. This is often overlooked.  

Your symptoms being a crazy outbreak on your mouth sounded like they could be similar to a first outbreak. I should have been more clear on this part though, your symptoms do not allign with herpes the more you break them down.  The gums, roof and tongue are rarely if ever impacted by oral HSV. I've had it all my life.  Lips, face and nose could be.  And often are.  Never the tongue.  Hope that helps.

Keep this in mind also: the majority if people who carry genital HSV never know they do because they either don't have symptoms or overlook them.  

Last point I'll make is this:  HSV2 is very difficult to contract orally which is why it's so rare.

[Boleta14]

Thank you so much for the reply. So count goes up over time? What would count be around for the first occurrence? and what would be the hypothetical symptoms for a primary oral HSV2 infection? can you please clarify your comment above, where you say that my symptoms are attributed no doubt to a primary HSV infection and are unrelated to my oral area, however, the only symptoms that exist are in fact taking place all in the oral area (i forgot to mention burning sensation when eating)?  or were you specifically referring to the sole symptom of having the high HSV 2 antibody count as the identifying symptom for a primary  HSV infection in the genital area? Based on the symptoms I've described in the oral area, others with HSV2-oral have also experienced similar symptoms. I have never experienced any outbreak of any kind in my genital area, and neither has my wife. Thanks again. It's greatly appreciated. My wife is getting tested later today.

[TiminBoston]

I don't think you have oral HSV2.  I think you have genital HSV2 and some kind of odd, unrelated mouth infection.

The symptoms you are describing would be attributable to a primary HSV infection. No doubt. The problem is, your HSV2 antibody count is so high that is almost a certainty that you've been infected for several years.   Which makes it very hard to believe the symptoms you are having are in any way related.

Have your wife tested for HS2.  If she is really your only partner then assuming she is not taking valtrex or some other antiviral (some people take valtrex to treat shingles or HSV1 oral infections), I would bet almost everything I have that she will be positive also.  And hers is also a genital infection.