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herpes risk
Hi,
I know I have herpes. Had it for 20 years. Don't know if it's type 1 or 2. Haven't had an outbreak in 3 years. They are almost unnoticeable when they happen. My GF is aware I have it. We usually use a condom and wouldn't do it in the presence of an OB. Last Sunday, we got pretty drunk and had sex without protection. No obvious OB then. But 36 hours later, I felt a little itch and noticed a little pimple... very small and mild, but unmistakably herpes. Now, I'm very worried she might have been exposed even if there was nothing noticeable when we had sex. Questions:
1- What would be the window for being infectious before an outbreak. 2- How long should she wait before being tested. 3- Is there something I can take on a permanent basis to reduce the risk of transmission. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. I'll be pleased to comment. From the sounds of things, you and your GF are doing things right and it is unlikely that you have transmitted infection to your partner. Condoms significantly reduce HSV transmission, as does avoidance of sex during outbreaks and having your partner know that you have HSV. Further, it is probably worthwhile for me to point out to you that, in general, as time (years) passes, the transmissibility of HSV tends to decline as well.
The only additonal thing you can do is to take preventative therapy with antiviral medication such as valacyclovor daily. This will further reduce your risk for transmission of infection by about another 50%.
We also know however that persons with genital HSV-2 however do experience what is called "asymptomatic shedding" of the virus when virus can be present on the surface of the skin in the absence of lesions. Studies using the most sensitive methods for HSV detection (PCR) show that asymptomatic shedding occurs about 10% of the time. Asymptomatic shedding and when it occurs is highly variable and can certainly precede an outbreak but by how much is unknown.
I should also point out that because asymptomatic shedding is so common, we have also learned that most exposures to partners with HSV do not lead to infection and, in the absence of lesions (as in your situation) we estimate that HSV is transmitted less than once or every1000 sexual exposures.
Thus, putting all of the facts above together, it is not clear that you were shedding the virus when you had the episode of unprotected sex you mention and even if you were, odds are that your partner will not be infected. If she did develop HSV through the exposure you describe she will most likely develop sores at the site of infection in the 4 to 14 days after exposure. Other than looking for possible lesions, would not suggest testing. The odds are in your favor that your partner was not infected. EWH
The only additonal thing you can do is to take preventative therapy with antiviral medication such as valacyclovor daily. This will further reduce your risk for transmission of infection by about another 50%.
We also know however that persons with genital HSV-2 however do experience what is called "asymptomatic shedding" of the virus when virus can be present on the surface of the skin in the absence of lesions. Studies using the most sensitive methods for HSV detection (PCR) show that asymptomatic shedding occurs about 10% of the time. Asymptomatic shedding and when it occurs is highly variable and can certainly precede an outbreak but by how much is unknown.
I should also point out that because asymptomatic shedding is so common, we have also learned that most exposures to partners with HSV do not lead to infection and, in the absence of lesions (as in your situation) we estimate that HSV is transmitted less than once or every1000 sexual exposures.
Thus, putting all of the facts above together, it is not clear that you were shedding the virus when you had the episode of unprotected sex you mention and even if you were, odds are that your partner will not be infected. If she did develop HSV through the exposure you describe she will most likely develop sores at the site of infection in the 4 to 14 days after exposure. Other than looking for possible lesions, would not suggest testing. The odds are in your favor that your partner was not infected. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad I could be helpful. Take care. EWH
Thank you very much for your answer. It was very helpful. Hope it will also be helpful to others.
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
