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HSV1 Symptoms and HSV2 risk
I started dating a man that informed me before we had sex that he has HSV 2 genitally. I was not infected at that time. We have had sex several times, always with a condom. I have given him several hand jobs, but have never given him oral. He has given me oral several times. A couple months later I had my very first outbreak of HSV 1 (I assume) as a cold sore on my upper lip. My first question is; how did I manage to get this since we have been so careful? I am now terrified that I will get HSV 2 genitally. Since my first outbreak about 2 months ago, I get tingling about every two weeks in several different spots which I am treating with Valtrex to make sure that I do not get any more cold sores. This tingling that I get is not just on my lips, it is on my face in many spots and on the back of my head. Is it normal to have an outbreak so often? Is the tingling all over the face normal? And my last question, what are the chances that I will get HSV2 if we continue to have protected sex? He has not had an outbreak in years and is on a daily dose of Valtrex. I am having a lot of anxiety about this and any help you can give me would be much appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the clarifications; it helps.
Your doctor obviously thought your oral herpes was a recurrent outbreak (the treatment was the recommended one for a recurrence, but not for initial herpes). I agree, despite the fact that this is your first recognized outbreak. As I said in my original reply, this isn't a rare circumstance at all. I am confident your oral herpes is chronic, not acquired from your current partner.
Valtrex is incapable of shutting down HSV replication, or symptoms from it, in 12 hours. I remain confident that symptom isn't due to herpes.
"What do you think my next steps should be?" You should stop taking Valtrex, regardless of what symptoms develo; and return to your doctor for further evaluation. I have no doubt the tingling is real; I never said it isn't. But I remain confident it's not due to herpes.
Your doctor obviously thought your oral herpes was a recurrent outbreak (the treatment was the recommended one for a recurrence, but not for initial herpes). I agree, despite the fact that this is your first recognized outbreak. As I said in my original reply, this isn't a rare circumstance at all. I am confident your oral herpes is chronic, not acquired from your current partner.
Valtrex is incapable of shutting down HSV replication, or symptoms from it, in 12 hours. I remain confident that symptom isn't due to herpes.
"What do you think my next steps should be?" You should stop taking Valtrex, regardless of what symptoms develo; and return to your doctor for further evaluation. I have no doubt the tingling is real; I never said it isn't. But I remain confident it's not due to herpes.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my post and I wanted to answer your questions to get further clarification. I do realize that HSV 1 does not mean oral herpes and HSV 2 isn’t necessarily genital. As to your first question; “Have I been diagnosed with oral herpes?” At the sign of my first oral blisters I got an appointment with my PCP and was diagnosed with oral herpes, but the provider chose not to do any lab tests for HSV 1 or HSV2. I was prescribed Valtrex 2000 mg to take once and then again in 12 hours. I have never had oral herpes before this relationship.
The tingling I am experiencing every two weeks always starts with the spot where my first cold sore appeared and several spots around my mouth. Each time it has happened I will take a high dose of the Valtrex and it takes about 12 hours for the tingling to stop.
What do you think my next steps should be? I am concerned that my symptoms don’t seem typical as far as the frequency, but the tingling that is happening is very real for me. Thank you for your time
The tingling I am experiencing every two weeks always starts with the spot where my first cold sore appeared and several spots around my mouth. Each time it has happened I will take a high dose of the Valtrex and it takes about 12 hours for the tingling to stop.
What do you think my next steps should be? I am concerned that my symptoms don’t seem typical as far as the frequency, but the tingling that is happening is very real for me. Thank you for your time
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
First, I wonder whether you are confused about terminology. HSV-1 does not mean oral herpes, and HSV-2 isn't necessarily genital. These terms refer to the virus, not the site of infection. If you acquired your partner's genital HSV-2 in or around your mouth, you do not have HSV-1, but oral herpes due to HSV-2. Perhaps you know this, but it isn't clear from your question.
In any case, I need more information in order to address your concerns. Have you been diagnosed with oral herpes? Have you had oral herpes previously, or only since this relationship began? Have you seen a health professional, and has oral herpes been professionally diagnosed or confirmed by a lab test? Have you been tested for HSV-1 and/or HSV-2?
Since you have had no oral contact with your partner's genital area, if your apparent "first outbreak" indeed is herpes, most likley you have had it for a long time, i.e. not from this partner. As implied above, most oral herpes is due to HSV-1, and it isn't rare for someone to have the infection for years and only then develop the first outbreak that they notice or remember.
As for "tingling about every two weeks in several different spots", this isn't herpes. HSV outbreaks may tingle, but tingling alone isn't a herpes symptom; and herpes never causes recurrent symptoms as often as every 2 weeks. The maximum outbreak frequency is about once a month, and usually it's a lot less common than that. (For oral HSV-1, once every 1-2 years is typical.)
If a doctor prescribed your Valtrex, I suggest you contact him or her and discuss whether you need to continue taking it. I doubt it is necessary. It might be smarter to stay off the drug and wait and see if you develop another actual blister, sore, or other typical lesion -- and then maybe have it tested for HSV.
In summary, even if you have oral herpes, I doubt it is HSV-2 or that you acquired it from your partner. To avoid catching his HSV-2 infection, I recommend you continue to use condoms for intercourse. In addition, your partner could take Valtrex to further reduce the chance you will be infected.
If you'll fill in some of the missing information, I'll try to help further. In the meantime, I hope this information has been helpful.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, I wonder whether you are confused about terminology. HSV-1 does not mean oral herpes, and HSV-2 isn't necessarily genital. These terms refer to the virus, not the site of infection. If you acquired your partner's genital HSV-2 in or around your mouth, you do not have HSV-1, but oral herpes due to HSV-2. Perhaps you know this, but it isn't clear from your question.
In any case, I need more information in order to address your concerns. Have you been diagnosed with oral herpes? Have you had oral herpes previously, or only since this relationship began? Have you seen a health professional, and has oral herpes been professionally diagnosed or confirmed by a lab test? Have you been tested for HSV-1 and/or HSV-2?
Since you have had no oral contact with your partner's genital area, if your apparent "first outbreak" indeed is herpes, most likley you have had it for a long time, i.e. not from this partner. As implied above, most oral herpes is due to HSV-1, and it isn't rare for someone to have the infection for years and only then develop the first outbreak that they notice or remember.
As for "tingling about every two weeks in several different spots", this isn't herpes. HSV outbreaks may tingle, but tingling alone isn't a herpes symptom; and herpes never causes recurrent symptoms as often as every 2 weeks. The maximum outbreak frequency is about once a month, and usually it's a lot less common than that. (For oral HSV-1, once every 1-2 years is typical.)
If a doctor prescribed your Valtrex, I suggest you contact him or her and discuss whether you need to continue taking it. I doubt it is necessary. It might be smarter to stay off the drug and wait and see if you develop another actual blister, sore, or other typical lesion -- and then maybe have it tested for HSV.
In summary, even if you have oral herpes, I doubt it is HSV-2 or that you acquired it from your partner. To avoid catching his HSV-2 infection, I recommend you continue to use condoms for intercourse. In addition, your partner could take Valtrex to further reduce the chance you will be infected.
If you'll fill in some of the missing information, I'll try to help further. In the meantime, I hope this information has been helpful.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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.
