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I was hoping someone might have some insight to my situation. I have had Herpes on my nose for several years. I have been with someone I dearly care for that does not have either HSV 1 or 2. On December 17 I came into the house and she was drying off from a shower. I had been fighting a cold and wiped my nose when she called me into the bathroom. I not thinking saw her and tried to play around and touched her vagina. Later that night I look at my nose and saw a blister starting to form. I felt terrible and went and told her. Two days later her had a headache for a day then the next day (3) she had dairrhia. Then nothing until day 6 when she started to have excessive discharge that was white with brown in it. She got scarred and took 400 mg of my acyclovir that night, the next moring and then 400mg only the next two days. I think she stopped the initail outbreak. She went to the gyno and was tested for BV, yeast, trich and other which came back negative. I have read on Terri Warrens site that she doesn't feel hands are a mode of transmission however I feel with her having a headache and diarriha then discharge I did transmit it to her. We have been very scared. Anyone with thoughts when the next outbreak will come ect.
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I take acyclovir daily thats where she got the medicine. She has been tested and has never tested possitive. I understand a lot of people have it but this would be genitail not oral for her. The symptoms she had are very scarry and idential to herpes. I appeciate your help!
I am really concerned the acyclovir stopped the outbreak and we are now in limbo worring about when it will show up
I am not sure what you meant by " its not how we feel" did you mean the science says diffrent that how you feel, that it is transmissible via hands?
Oh I meant that it's not how we "feel" - it's what we know. It's not a feeling we have, or an opinion, it's a science-based fast.
The symptoms she had are not identical to herpes. Did she have any sores? Her symptoms could have also been covid.
Having some random symptoms for a couple of days, then several days later, more symptoms, isn't what herpes does.
And what's the big deal, really, if she gets ghsv1? What would it change for you both if she did? How long have you been dating?
The symptoms she had are not identical to herpes. Did she have any sores? Her symptoms could have also been covid.
Having some random symptoms for a couple of days, then several days later, more symptoms, isn't what herpes does.
And what's the big deal, really, if she gets ghsv1? What would it change for you both if she did? How long have you been dating?
We have been together for a long time 8 yrs. Do you believe the amount of acyclovir she took before a primary outbreak could have happened would have stopped it?
If her symptoms - the headaches, the diarrhea, etc - were related to herpes, then she is infected. If it stopped the outbreak, that's one thing, but it doesn't mean it stopped the infection.
You've been together for 8 years. Do you all freak out like this every time something happens? Are you sure she doesn't have it already? The hsv1 IgG misses 30% of infections. This is going to be a heck of a way to live. I'm not suggesting that she purposely get it, but you all can't freak out this way every time she might have.
You've been together for 8 years. Do you all freak out like this every time something happens? Are you sure she doesn't have it already? The hsv1 IgG misses 30% of infections. This is going to be a heck of a way to live. I'm not suggesting that she purposely get it, but you all can't freak out this way every time she might have.
I know it wouldn't stop the infection I was just asking if you thought that amount of acyclovir would be enough to stop a primary outbreak. As far as freaking out she has never tested positive for either one so I wouldn't wish this on anyone!
She has also had multiple IGG test in the past and never tested positive
Ohhh she's (or you are) afraid of the primary outbreak. I don't know - it might. We have no research on this.
Keep in mind that the vast majority of people are asymptomatic. That you have symptoms is actually far less common than those who don't. If your girlfriend gets it, she may get no symptoms at all.
Keep in mind that the vast majority of people are asymptomatic. That you have symptoms is actually far less common than those who don't. If your girlfriend gets it, she may get no symptoms at all.
is it common to have a headache and diarrhia then no symptoms for 3 days then begin to have a white and brown dischrge. Would the sympoms have gone away for 3 days then when the discharge came it was the start of the lesions. thanks for your time
No, those things aren't common. The headache may be, but the diarrhea isn't. The discharge without sores isn't, either.
The only way you'll know if she got infected is for her to test. I'd have her test at 6 weeks and 12 weeks, but keep in mind the hsv1 test misses 30% of infections. She may already have it and you don't know, or she may have just gotten it and you won't know.
Try to relax. You've been together 8 years. If she hasn't gotten it already, that's great. If she gets it someday, that's not a huge deal, since it sounds like you're planning to be together for the long haul.
The only way you'll know if she got infected is for her to test. I'd have her test at 6 weeks and 12 weeks, but keep in mind the hsv1 test misses 30% of infections. She may already have it and you don't know, or she may have just gotten it and you won't know.
Try to relax. You've been together 8 years. If she hasn't gotten it already, that's great. If she gets it someday, that's not a huge deal, since it sounds like you're planning to be together for the long haul.
Wouln't you agree that the symptoms she had after exposure within the incubation period is unlikely to be anythings else I mean what are the odds of that happening in that time frame after I touched her. I do hope you are right about the transmittion by hands. You stated there hasn't been a documented case but how many cases of herpes are not documented. Have you ever heard or experience a case that was possibly transmitted by hands but just wasn't sure. I know there isn't anuway of knowing but do you think is she did stop the primary would it come back fairly quickly. Its been 28 days since she stopped the acyclovir? I am sorry for all the difficult questions and do appricaite your pactience with me.
She had headache, diarrhia, and discharge nothing else. If she would have come down with a cold or the flu or something then I could say oh that was it but I can find anything else with just those symptoms besides herpes and believe me I have been trying.
Diarrhea is NOT a common symptom of herpes, and herpes is not transmitted by hands. I didn't say there hadn't been a documented case - I said I agree with Terri that hands don't transmit herpes.
I'm not sure what you need from me here - assurance that she didn't get it, or assurance that she won't get a big primary if she did. You've been together for 8 years - I don't understand the big deal with deal this if she did get ghsv1.
Has she taken a test yet? That's all you can do now.
I'm not sure what you need from me here - assurance that she didn't get it, or assurance that she won't get a big primary if she did. You've been together for 8 years - I don't understand the big deal with deal this if she did get ghsv1.
Has she taken a test yet? That's all you can do now.
I am sorry you didn't say documented, that is what it said on other sites. I am also sorry I am just concerned I stupidly infected my gf by touching a sore then touching her genitals. From reading it seems that hsv1 is more infectous than hdv2. So you have never seen a case like mine that ended in transmittion? I will stop asking questions after this. I am just looking for reassurance I didn't give it to her. Thank You for your time.
No, hsv1 isn't more infectious - that depends on the location of the sores.
Oral hsv1 is similarly infectious to genital hsv2, with direct skin to skin contact. For oral hsv1, it's kissing or oral sex. With genital hsv2, it's unclothed genital to genital or genital to anal contact, with friction, usually the kind associated with sex.
I have never once seen transmission in a case like yours. If you haven't transmitted it in 8 years of kissing her and maybe giving her oral sex, it isn't going to happen by touching her briefly with your hand.
Oral hsv1 is similarly infectious to genital hsv2, with direct skin to skin contact. For oral hsv1, it's kissing or oral sex. With genital hsv2, it's unclothed genital to genital or genital to anal contact, with friction, usually the kind associated with sex.
I have never once seen transmission in a case like yours. If you haven't transmitted it in 8 years of kissing her and maybe giving her oral sex, it isn't going to happen by touching her briefly with your hand.
newt8, In your scenario the transmission likelihood is infinitesimally small. I have known couples who have been together for years and one is HSV1+ and the other not (and only person in all these couples takes HSV meds). In some cases a partner might just be asymptomatic, but in most just a general bit of caution has kept one of them free and clear, for years now. Plus the symptoms you describe don't fit the bill for an OB or infection. I have, as of yet, never heard of diarrhea being a primary or recurrent OB symptom - ever!
I have to go with auntijessi on this one - the likelihood, scientifically, of transmission the way you describe it - is miniscule; you've been together a while, what real difference would her having HSV really make?; the symptoms don't add up; if the two of you are really concerned go get tested at 6 and 12 weeks.
I have to go with auntijessi on this one - the likelihood, scientifically, of transmission the way you describe it - is miniscule; you've been together a while, what real difference would her having HSV really make?; the symptoms don't add up; if the two of you are really concerned go get tested at 6 and 12 weeks.
First off I do appriciate everyone imput. I keep hearing what difference would it make if she go it anyway well niehter one of us have it grenitally so I feel it would make a big difference. She is very upset either way so that concerns me and I feel gilty arleady for being so stupid to expose her like that. I don't think the diarrhea was nessacrilly a symptom but I do believe she might have been getting ready to have an outbreak 6 days later with the excess white and brown discharge which I think she stopped with the acyclovir. That is a big concern and one reason I asked if you all thought a primary outbreak could be stopped 6 days after exposure. Again I do appriciate the thoughts and advise.
Actually, it wouldn't make a difference at all, probably.
You'd both have the same strain of herpes- hsv1 on the genitals is still hsv1. If both of you have it, you can't give the other one what you already have. Because you have antibodies, you can't get it genitally.
Genital hsv1 (ghsv1) recurs infrequently - the average is less than one a year. The average for genital hsv2 is 4-5 a year.
88% of those who don't get an ghsv1 outbreak again in the first year never get another outbreak.
Has she been this concerned about oral hsv1? Has she allowed you to kiss her and give her oral sex? If she has, I don't understand the sudden fear of hsv1.
I'm sorry she's so upset, and you're feeling so guilty. Both reactions are way out of proportion to the risk.
Here are a bunch of reasons for brown discharge - https://www.healthline.com/health/brown-vaginal-discharge
Diarrhea could be from something she ate, or even the acyclovir - https://www.rxlist.com/zovirax-side-effects-drug-center.htm The headache could have been from the acyclovir, too, or whatever the cause of the brown discharge was, if it was hormonal.
When cris_01 and I talk about nothing really changing for you if she does have it, it's because nothing really would. She probably wouldn't get frequent outbreaks - you'd probably get more than she would - and you wouldn't have to worry about transmission any more. That's it.
The chances of this happening are so very, very, very low it is the same as zero, statistically.
You'd both have the same strain of herpes- hsv1 on the genitals is still hsv1. If both of you have it, you can't give the other one what you already have. Because you have antibodies, you can't get it genitally.
Genital hsv1 (ghsv1) recurs infrequently - the average is less than one a year. The average for genital hsv2 is 4-5 a year.
88% of those who don't get an ghsv1 outbreak again in the first year never get another outbreak.
Has she been this concerned about oral hsv1? Has she allowed you to kiss her and give her oral sex? If she has, I don't understand the sudden fear of hsv1.
I'm sorry she's so upset, and you're feeling so guilty. Both reactions are way out of proportion to the risk.
Here are a bunch of reasons for brown discharge - https://www.healthline.com/health/brown-vaginal-discharge
Diarrhea could be from something she ate, or even the acyclovir - https://www.rxlist.com/zovirax-side-effects-drug-center.htm The headache could have been from the acyclovir, too, or whatever the cause of the brown discharge was, if it was hormonal.
When cris_01 and I talk about nothing really changing for you if she does have it, it's because nothing really would. She probably wouldn't get frequent outbreaks - you'd probably get more than she would - and you wouldn't have to worry about transmission any more. That's it.
The chances of this happening are so very, very, very low it is the same as zero, statistically.
Does anyone else have a similar experience to mine and how did it turn out
Listen, we have answered your questions over and over.
If your partner doesn't already have hsv1 from 8 years of kissing and/or oral sex, a brief touch from you after touching your nose when you didn't have a sore yet isn't going to do it.
I'm not sure if you're aware, but when you have hsv1 in your nose, it's considered an oral infection. Herpes infects nerve groups. When you have it on your facial area, it infects the trigeminal nerve, meaning you can get outbreaks on your mouth, nose, or anywhere on your face, though that's very rare.
This means you are infectious and shedding the virus from your mouth even if you only get outbreaks in your nose. If you've been kissing her and giving her oral sex for 8 years, she has it, or you've gotten really lucky. In either case, a brief touch like this isn't going to transmit it.
I haven't any idea why this has thrown you both into a spiral when nothing else in 8 years has, or maybe it has. If you are living in fear, I'm sorry. It's no way to live for such a common virus. Has she tested yet? If not - why? Testing could put this whole matter to rest.
If your partner doesn't already have hsv1 from 8 years of kissing and/or oral sex, a brief touch from you after touching your nose when you didn't have a sore yet isn't going to do it.
I'm not sure if you're aware, but when you have hsv1 in your nose, it's considered an oral infection. Herpes infects nerve groups. When you have it on your facial area, it infects the trigeminal nerve, meaning you can get outbreaks on your mouth, nose, or anywhere on your face, though that's very rare.
This means you are infectious and shedding the virus from your mouth even if you only get outbreaks in your nose. If you've been kissing her and giving her oral sex for 8 years, she has it, or you've gotten really lucky. In either case, a brief touch like this isn't going to transmit it.
I haven't any idea why this has thrown you both into a spiral when nothing else in 8 years has, or maybe it has. If you are living in fear, I'm sorry. It's no way to live for such a common virus. Has she tested yet? If not - why? Testing could put this whole matter to rest.
Our members have patiently answered your questions as best as they are able. If you have further questions, please contact a personal physician.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
I'm with Terri on this, but it's not how we feel - we go with the science that says hands don't transmit herpes like this.
Has your partner ever tested for hsv1? She could have it and never get any symptoms. If she has it already, she can't get it again from you.
You kiss her, I'm assuming - that's far more likely to transmit it than using a hand.
The reality here is that you have oral hsv1. Yes, it appears in your nose, but it is considered an oral infection. Oral herpes infects the trigeminal nerve, which affects the mouth and nose. This means that you are contagious from your mouth, too.
I don't say this to scare you, I really don't. 67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1. If she wasn't with you, her next partner might easily have it.
Do you take anything for your outbreaks? I hear outbreaks in the nose are painful. Do you get them frequently? You can take antivirals suppressively just as people with genital herpes take them.
Again - I don't want you to freak out. I don't think you had any risk here. I just want you to know the rest of the info.