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Questions about HSV-1 to genitals transmission
I've started dating someone recently. Since I'm somewhat of a hypochondriac I've been tested various times for HSV1/2, and BOTH types have been negative as of several months ago. As such I have continued to have a concern about contracting HSV1 genitally.
My girlfriend recently had what appeared to be a pimple on her upper lip, on the edge where her lip meets her skin. I of course panicked that this was a cold sore. She said it did not hurt--until I mentioned it she said she'd almost forgotten about it--and at first it looked much like a whitehead, a circle with a center to it. That said, it carried on for nearly a week as it healed, so I am worried...So first question:
#1: How likely would it be that a cold sore would 'not hurt'? Is it possible to get simple pimples or clogged pores recurring in the same position on the lips (she said she'd had a pimple there maybe 5 years ago)?
#2: Because of the concern about this being a cold sore, my girlfriend refrained from performing oral sex on me. However, I did perform oral sex on her, AFTER kissing her, and following oral sex we did engage in unprotected vaginal intercourse. Now, I realize there are no definites, but based on this chain of incidents--me kissing her, going down on her, then having sex--does this seem like a viable way that I might somehow contract HSV1 genitally? (For the sake or argument, let's assume that what my gfriend had IS a cold sore, disregarding the way I described it initially.)
#3: My MAIN concern would be contracting HSV1 genitally. Let's say I got it from these encounters orally, and became symptomatic...would I expect to see HSV1 genital symptoms at the same time, if I had caught the virus in both sites? From what I gather an initial HSV1 gential episode is most commonly symptomatic and, I'm guessing, fairly obvious... Basically just wondering what my risk level is here, what I should be concerned about, etc.
My girlfriend recently had what appeared to be a pimple on her upper lip, on the edge where her lip meets her skin. I of course panicked that this was a cold sore. She said it did not hurt--until I mentioned it she said she'd almost forgotten about it--and at first it looked much like a whitehead, a circle with a center to it. That said, it carried on for nearly a week as it healed, so I am worried...So first question:
#1: How likely would it be that a cold sore would 'not hurt'? Is it possible to get simple pimples or clogged pores recurring in the same position on the lips (she said she'd had a pimple there maybe 5 years ago)?
#2: Because of the concern about this being a cold sore, my girlfriend refrained from performing oral sex on me. However, I did perform oral sex on her, AFTER kissing her, and following oral sex we did engage in unprotected vaginal intercourse. Now, I realize there are no definites, but based on this chain of incidents--me kissing her, going down on her, then having sex--does this seem like a viable way that I might somehow contract HSV1 genitally? (For the sake or argument, let's assume that what my gfriend had IS a cold sore, disregarding the way I described it initially.)
#3: My MAIN concern would be contracting HSV1 genitally. Let's say I got it from these encounters orally, and became symptomatic...would I expect to see HSV1 genital symptoms at the same time, if I had caught the virus in both sites? From what I gather an initial HSV1 gential episode is most commonly symptomatic and, I'm guessing, fairly obvious... Basically just wondering what my risk level is here, what I should be concerned about, etc.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It can take up to 4 months for HSV antibodies to be detectable. However, the large majority of newly infected people have positive results by 6 weeks. The combination of your exposure history, lack of symptoms, and negative test results amounts to 100% proof you weren't infected.
That's definitely the end of this thread. It's time for both of us to move on.
That's definitely the end of this thread. It's time for both of us to move on.
Hi Dr. Handsfield,
I took an STD test and ordered it from this website where you are on the Board of Directors (getstdtested.com). I tested negative for both types of herpes. This test was four months after having unprotected sex once with this one guy and six weeks after having protected sex once plus kissing a different partner. Does this mean I'm in the clear? The guys had no symptoms (one said he never had any in his life and the other said the last time he had a cold sore on his mouth was 3 yrs. ago), but of course that's not fool proof. The IM chat for the getstdtested.com website said that they use the best FDA hsv test and that 6 weeks was enough to detect antibodies. I did some research on the web and I saw one random website mentioned six months after contact. Should I get tested again or I'm relatively safe now. My results were NEGATIVE, and the other options were positive or something in the middle saying that a person might be infected but didn't have enough antibodies to be positive. Thanks in advance for your answer!
I took an STD test and ordered it from this website where you are on the Board of Directors (getstdtested.com). I tested negative for both types of herpes. This test was four months after having unprotected sex once with this one guy and six weeks after having protected sex once plus kissing a different partner. Does this mean I'm in the clear? The guys had no symptoms (one said he never had any in his life and the other said the last time he had a cold sore on his mouth was 3 yrs. ago), but of course that's not fool proof. The IM chat for the getstdtested.com website said that they use the best FDA hsv test and that 6 weeks was enough to detect antibodies. I did some research on the web and I saw one random website mentioned six months after contact. Should I get tested again or I'm relatively safe now. My results were NEGATIVE, and the other options were positive or something in the middle saying that a person might be infected but didn't have enough antibodies to be positive. Thanks in advance for your answer!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The symptoms could unfold over 2-3 days, but probably not much more than that. You much more worked up over this than you should be. It should be such a big deal.
That's truly the end of this thread. I won't have any further comments or advice.
That's truly the end of this thread. I won't have any further comments or advice.
Thank you again doctor. One final follow-up and then truly the thread is closed.
Re: oral symptoms...I imagine (?) that if there are symptoms they would 'appear' together, at the same time? I.e. a sore throat + a series of mouth blisters or sores all arising simultaneously...As opposed to a situation in which symptoms might unfold over a number of days--sore throat, then two days later one sore, then three days later another sore, etc?
Re: oral symptoms...I imagine (?) that if there are symptoms they would 'appear' together, at the same time? I.e. a sore throat + a series of mouth blisters or sores all arising simultaneously...As opposed to a situation in which symptoms might unfold over a number of days--sore throat, then two days later one sore, then three days later another sore, etc?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) The symptoms of initial oral herpes are highly variable -- everything from no symptoms at all to mild sore throat to very severe sore throat; any of which may or may not be accompanied by blisters, open sores, etc. With only a mind sore throat, however, it is far more likely you have a garden variety minor cold virus, not herpes.
2) These sorts of things theoretically could transmit the virus but rarely do.
3) You correctly understand the transmission risks of genital HSV-1.
2) These sorts of things theoretically could transmit the virus but rarely do.
3) You correctly understand the transmission risks of genital HSV-1.
Thank you doctor. Just a few additional clarifications and I will be done.
*#1: If I do contract oral HSV, what would the symptoms look like and how long would they last? I've had a sore throat for the past 4 days or so, but I often get one (due to stress, acid reflux, etc.) I know initial symptoms would be sore throat + internal mouth sores...how long would both last? Would the sores appear like 'typical' herpes sores? And would they be unilateral or bilateral during an initial outbreak?
*#2 : If my girlfriend used some of her own saliva as vaginal lubricant (by licking her hand, etc), I'm assuming the chances of this being transmitted to me genitally are also not worth worrying about? Ditto if she licked her hand and then touched my genitals directly?
#3: I do realize that genital HSV1 is not worth going crazy about, it's mainly the stigma and the potential awkwardness of having this conversation with new partners (who would likely not be patient enough to hear the distinctions between types.) But I'm curious...based on what I have read, it'd be significantly easier for someone to contract genital HSV1 via receiving oral sex from a person with oral HSV1, as opposed to via having intercourse with someone with genital HSV1, even if (in either case) the infected person doesn't have an active sore? Since it seems like oral HSV1 sheds quite a bit more asymptomatically than genital...
*#1: If I do contract oral HSV, what would the symptoms look like and how long would they last? I've had a sore throat for the past 4 days or so, but I often get one (due to stress, acid reflux, etc.) I know initial symptoms would be sore throat + internal mouth sores...how long would both last? Would the sores appear like 'typical' herpes sores? And would they be unilateral or bilateral during an initial outbreak?
*#2 : If my girlfriend used some of her own saliva as vaginal lubricant (by licking her hand, etc), I'm assuming the chances of this being transmitted to me genitally are also not worth worrying about? Ditto if she licked her hand and then touched my genitals directly?
#3: I do realize that genital HSV1 is not worth going crazy about, it's mainly the stigma and the potential awkwardness of having this conversation with new partners (who would likely not be patient enough to hear the distinctions between types.) But I'm curious...based on what I have read, it'd be significantly easier for someone to contract genital HSV1 via receiving oral sex from a person with oral HSV1, as opposed to via having intercourse with someone with genital HSV1, even if (in either case) the infected person doesn't have an active sore? Since it seems like oral HSV1 sheds quite a bit more asymptomatically than genital...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is no way these symptoms have anything to do with herpes. They are, however, typical for genitally focused anxiety.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum. But I have to note this is almost identical to the question you asked back in 2006, when you also said you had a partner with what you thought might be an oral herpes lesion. Directly to your specific questions:
1) Herpes lesions are highly variable. Painless ones certainly are possible.
2) It is very unlikely that enough virus would be carried from her mouth to yours and then back to your genital area by the exposures you have described. This isn't a realistic worry.
3) Certainly it is possible to have an initial HSV infection (of either type) that involves both the oral area and genitals, if both sites were exposed to a partner with active oral HSV-1. However, in the circumstances you have described here, there is no risk of genital infection -- although if your partner's oral lesion is herpes, you are at risk for oral herpes.
I wonder why you are so obsessed with genital HSV-1. While nobody wants genital herpes, the large majority of genital HSV-1 infections cause few recurrent outbreaks (about half of all infected people never have any recurrent outbreaks at all); and genital HSV-1 is uncommonly spread sexually to partners. It's very different in these characteristics than genital HSV-2.
You could help sort this out if your partner could have a blood test for HSV, and also visit a doctor or clinic the next times he has a suspicious oral lesion, so it can be tested directly for HSV. That way you could know for sure what the risks are.
Regards-- HHH, MD
1) Herpes lesions are highly variable. Painless ones certainly are possible.
2) It is very unlikely that enough virus would be carried from her mouth to yours and then back to your genital area by the exposures you have described. This isn't a realistic worry.
3) Certainly it is possible to have an initial HSV infection (of either type) that involves both the oral area and genitals, if both sites were exposed to a partner with active oral HSV-1. However, in the circumstances you have described here, there is no risk of genital infection -- although if your partner's oral lesion is herpes, you are at risk for oral herpes.
I wonder why you are so obsessed with genital HSV-1. While nobody wants genital herpes, the large majority of genital HSV-1 infections cause few recurrent outbreaks (about half of all infected people never have any recurrent outbreaks at all); and genital HSV-1 is uncommonly spread sexually to partners. It's very different in these characteristics than genital HSV-2.
You could help sort this out if your partner could have a blood test for HSV, and also visit a doctor or clinic the next times he has a suspicious oral lesion, so it can be tested directly for HSV. That way you could know for sure what the risks are.
Regards-- HHH, MD
And one extra Q, if you don't mind--
I've been experiencing some pain in my left side/lower stomach and left testicle. The pain in my lower stomach feels like a gas pocket, really...would testicle/lower stomach pain be indicative of herpes infection, or am I being (continually) crazy?
I've been experiencing some pain in my left side/lower stomach and left testicle. The pain in my lower stomach feels like a gas pocket, really...would testicle/lower stomach pain be indicative of herpes infection, or am I being (continually) crazy?
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.
