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Herpes Exposure
I have been dating this girl for the past 6 months and until recently something happened, while I was away from home, I work away from home. I know her STD status but not mine, I only know my HIV status since my last unprotected exposure(2 years ago). I did not know my herpes status, since my last unprotected exposure I did not get tested for herpes just HIV since I didn't experience and symptoms of any kind either on my mouth or genitals for a period of two years.She hasn't either. We have been having sex every 2 to 3 weeks since the beginning of February, mostly when we saw each other, each time was protected vaginal but unprotected oral.Our last protected vaginal and unprotected oral exposure was June 17th and our last oral unprotected exposure was July4th. She gave me oral but I did not give in return because she was taking medications for her UTI, her healthcare provider told her it was the different types of condoms or maybe the way she wipes, after this I was a little skeptical about having sex with her again.Later on the month of July25th, she got a cold sore and was freaking out because she never had one in her life. I think I gave it too her with the unprotected oral. I think I may have genital herpes 1 or 2 from my last exposure and did not know I have it. Lately I had this strange burning feeling on the base of my shaft and my scrotum area, no bumps or redness. I do notice some odd bumps that are not hair folicals but they are just "there". I haven't gotten a full check up since my last unprotected exposure just a HIV and no full STD testing. What should I do? We have been talking and lots of stress going on who gave who. I think it was me with the unprotected oral she performed. We both want to get tested for herpes but I think it's too soon to test. Next week will be 4 weeks since exposure. I just started feeling a burning sensation on my left mouth area and it's been red all day. What can I do?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As expected, neither of you has HSV-2. Your partner has HSV-1. That doesn't necessarily mean her oral lesion was herpes; most people with positive HSV-1 blood tests have no symptoms of herpes, oral or otherwise. However, it is possible she has oral herpes, which might explain her oral sore. It is definitely possible for someone to have HSV-1 for many years, to have no symptoms, and then develop an oral herpes outbreak. But whether that's the explanation for her oral sore is impossible to know for sure at this point. The only way to know is to be examined by a health professional if and when a similar outbreak occurs.
As for you, it is unlikely you have HSV-1, or that herpes explains your oral blisters or other sores. As noted earlier, the initial oral HSV infection typically is more severe than you have had, with multiple painful sores in the mouth, severe sore throat, and often fever -- all lasting at least a couple of weeks. But if your symptoms are continuing, you should see a doctor or clinic right away to be certain. If it remains uncertain, you could have another HSV-1 blood test about 3 months after you last kissed your partner.
Since you probably don't have HSV-1, the main thing now is for you to avoid kissing your partner if and when she has another outbreak; and likewise, she should not perform oral sex on you if and when she has an outbreak, in order to avoid genital infection.
Let me know the outcome if and when you have been professionally evaluated. You're never going to have a clear answer either on this forum or from any other online source; direct personal care is the only way. But in the meantime, I really don't think you should be worried.
As for you, it is unlikely you have HSV-1, or that herpes explains your oral blisters or other sores. As noted earlier, the initial oral HSV infection typically is more severe than you have had, with multiple painful sores in the mouth, severe sore throat, and often fever -- all lasting at least a couple of weeks. But if your symptoms are continuing, you should see a doctor or clinic right away to be certain. If it remains uncertain, you could have another HSV-1 blood test about 3 months after you last kissed your partner.
Since you probably don't have HSV-1, the main thing now is for you to avoid kissing your partner if and when she has another outbreak; and likewise, she should not perform oral sex on you if and when she has an outbreak, in order to avoid genital infection.
Let me know the outcome if and when you have been professionally evaluated. You're never going to have a clear answer either on this forum or from any other online source; direct personal care is the only way. But in the meantime, I really don't think you should be worried.
Dr. I wanted to give you our results as promised and my test for HSV1 and HSV 2 came both back negative. As of 08/05/2011, this is roughly 4.5 weeks post exposure.
Though her test came back positive for HSV1 only not for HSV2.
At this point I don't know if we should restest.
I did develope some blisters the following week after testing, not on my lips but around the mouth area not as big as hers but they were very tiny like it started with one, I popped it, then it oozed clear later that night(roughly an hour later) another small blister the same size appeared right next to it and I started applying hydrogen peroxide on it with some tea tree oil ointment. It had scabbed up in one day an no more blisters has appeared. Its scabbed over and has a tint of yellow to it.
Would you recommend that I should get tested again?
Though her test came back positive for HSV1 only not for HSV2.
At this point I don't know if we should restest.
I did develope some blisters the following week after testing, not on my lips but around the mouth area not as big as hers but they were very tiny like it started with one, I popped it, then it oozed clear later that night(roughly an hour later) another small blister the same size appeared right next to it and I started applying hydrogen peroxide on it with some tea tree oil ointment. It had scabbed up in one day an no more blisters has appeared. Its scabbed over and has a tint of yellow to it.
Would you recommend that I should get tested again?
Dr. I wanted to add about what you said about her symptoms, well apparently she still has the same "sores" but it has developed into multiple smaller blisters on her lip. She has roughly like a cluster of 2 to 3 of them on her bottom left lip line. Either she has herpes or not, it has not healed since I last posted about this it has been 10 days since she has this.
What has me worried is that fact that even though I do not show any symptoms of any kind, but I was experiencing redness and burning feeling on my mouth area and lips for the past two weeks, how accurate is the blood test going to be if we both go? And if you say the second possibility is that she could have had it for many years and not know about it, is it normal that she just all of a sudden shows symptoms for her first time up until now?
Tomorrow is the day we are going to get tested. Once the results come in I will post them.
What has me worried is that fact that even though I do not show any symptoms of any kind, but I was experiencing redness and burning feeling on my mouth area and lips for the past two weeks, how accurate is the blood test going to be if we both go? And if you say the second possibility is that she could have had it for many years and not know about it, is it normal that she just all of a sudden shows symptoms for her first time up until now?
Tomorrow is the day we are going to get tested. Once the results come in I will post them.
Thank you for the prompt response Dr.
As soon as I get back home I will go ahead and get test with her and post our results.
As soon as I get back home I will go ahead and get test with her and post our results.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
First, you don't know that your partner's oral lesion was herpes. Second, if it was herpes, it is likely she has had oral herpes for a long time, perhaps for many years. That's because the initial oral HSV infection usually is much more severe then you describe -- generally severe sore throat and multiple sores in and around the mouth, not a single cold sore.
Third, if she has new oral herpes and you were the source, it was probably from kissing. Oral herpes is almost always due to HSV-1, and genital HSV-1 usually is not highly transmissible. Although it is possible she acquired oral HSV-2 or HSV-1 from performing oral sex on you, this is much less likely than transmission by kissing.
As for your symptoms, they don't sound at all like you have gential herpes.
The answer to all this indeed lies in both of you being tested for HSV. It is not too soon. Assuming neither of you recently has been having sex with anyone else, then testing now will tell you for sure who is infected with what, i.e. HSV-1, HSV-2, both, or neither. If there is any doubt about intepreting the results, either or both of you could have a repeat test later. In fact, the best way to diagnose new herpes -- other than testing a herpes sore directly -- is to have paired blood tests several weeks apart, to look for a change from negative to positive.
So my strong advice is that both of you be tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 (preferably at the same time and by the same doctor and/or laboratory). Let me know the results. In the meantime, if your partner's oral sore recurs (or any other oral or genital sores appear), see a doctor or clinic immediately for diagnosis and testing.
Finally, although this is not a relationship counseling service, I suggest that until your test results are available you can the talk about who gave what to whom. Probably neither of you gave herpes or anything else to the other. And I know of no better way to seriously harm a relationship than to argue about the source of an STD that a) probably isn't present and b) if it is probably is neither partner's fault.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, you don't know that your partner's oral lesion was herpes. Second, if it was herpes, it is likely she has had oral herpes for a long time, perhaps for many years. That's because the initial oral HSV infection usually is much more severe then you describe -- generally severe sore throat and multiple sores in and around the mouth, not a single cold sore.
Third, if she has new oral herpes and you were the source, it was probably from kissing. Oral herpes is almost always due to HSV-1, and genital HSV-1 usually is not highly transmissible. Although it is possible she acquired oral HSV-2 or HSV-1 from performing oral sex on you, this is much less likely than transmission by kissing.
As for your symptoms, they don't sound at all like you have gential herpes.
The answer to all this indeed lies in both of you being tested for HSV. It is not too soon. Assuming neither of you recently has been having sex with anyone else, then testing now will tell you for sure who is infected with what, i.e. HSV-1, HSV-2, both, or neither. If there is any doubt about intepreting the results, either or both of you could have a repeat test later. In fact, the best way to diagnose new herpes -- other than testing a herpes sore directly -- is to have paired blood tests several weeks apart, to look for a change from negative to positive.
So my strong advice is that both of you be tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 (preferably at the same time and by the same doctor and/or laboratory). Let me know the results. In the meantime, if your partner's oral sore recurs (or any other oral or genital sores appear), see a doctor or clinic immediately for diagnosis and testing.
Finally, although this is not a relationship counseling service, I suggest that until your test results are available you can the talk about who gave what to whom. Probably neither of you gave herpes or anything else to the other. And I know of no better way to seriously harm a relationship than to argue about the source of an STD that a) probably isn't present and b) if it is probably is neither partner's fault.
I hope this helps. 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.
