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What are the chances I acquired genital HSV2 when I already have Genital HSV1?
I tested positive for genital HSV1 almost 3 years ago. The first outbreak was severe and lasted about 3 weeks. After that I would have constant groin pain and experienced recurrences on the tip of my penis, and top part of shaft within the first year. I have not had a major outbreak for over a year but I am currently a week into an outbreak that seems more sever than the other re-occurences and it is around the top base and sides of my penis...exactly where the condom ends. I had sexual intercourse 2 times in the week prior with two different commercial sex workers. The rash seems to scab over every 2 days and is healing slowly. On my past re-occurences they would never scab. Could this be hsv2 because I have never had a flare-up around the top base of my penis where the condom ends. What is the realistic chance I was given hsv2 wearing a condom the whole time for sexual intercourse even though it was a sex worker and I already have genital hsv1? Could this be a different STD? I received very short term unprotected oral but I know the chances of hsv2 from oral is pretty much non-existent. Could hsv1 spread from the normal sites to my base area?
Also, after sex I often have a small discoloration (red) that looks like a circle around my penis that seems to look like a rash but disappears within 12hrs or so. Is this from friction or is this a break in the skin? I ask because about 3 weeks ago my condom broke during sexual intercourse with a sex worker but did not have any sympthoms in the weeks after but noticed the small discloration like always right after sex. The intercourse lasted about 5 minutes at least because I did not know the condom broke. I will get tested for hiv at 90 days although the worker is tested every 2 weeks for std's. I guess that better than nothing. I am trying to cut down on risky behaviour. What is the chances hiv could of entered my body with no VISIBLE sores prior, but the small discloration after?
Also, after sex I often have a small discoloration (red) that looks like a circle around my penis that seems to look like a rash but disappears within 12hrs or so. Is this from friction or is this a break in the skin? I ask because about 3 weeks ago my condom broke during sexual intercourse with a sex worker but did not have any sympthoms in the weeks after but noticed the small discloration like always right after sex. The intercourse lasted about 5 minutes at least because I did not know the condom broke. I will get tested for hiv at 90 days although the worker is tested every 2 weeks for std's. I guess that better than nothing. I am trying to cut down on risky behaviour. What is the chances hiv could of entered my body with no VISIBLE sores prior, but the small discloration after?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your initial infection definitely was HSV-1; thanks for clarifying.
I can't say how many people with genital HSV-1 go on to catch HSV-2. It certainly can happen. Prior HSV-1 tends to lessen the severity of a new HSV-2 infection. It might also reduce the risk of catching it; there are conflicting research results. But if so, it's one slightly protective.
With a more severe than usual outbreak plus new penile location, I agree a new HSV-2 infection is possible. Still, you definitely should await the diagnostic tests before making assumptions.
I can't say how many people with genital HSV-1 go on to catch HSV-2. It certainly can happen. Prior HSV-1 tends to lessen the severity of a new HSV-2 infection. It might also reduce the risk of catching it; there are conflicting research results. But if so, it's one slightly protective.
With a more severe than usual outbreak plus new penile location, I agree a new HSV-2 infection is possible. Still, you definitely should await the diagnostic tests before making assumptions.
When my intitial outbreak occured (2 1/2 yrs.) I went to my local STD clinic and they took a swab culture for testing from the ulcers. I was sure it was hsv2 because it was severe and from what I read on the net. However when I called to get my results they told me I was negative for type 2 and positive for type 1 so I am positive genital hsv1 no doubt.
My sympthoms sound textbook atypical but I was just curious about the infection rate of those currently with genital hsv1 that later on became infected with hsv2 as well because there is not too much current studies or reliable data on the net to draw a personal conclusion about whether a previous genital hsv1 would provide any immunity or protection against genital hsv2.
Including this current outbreak, the first was much more severe, I am just concerned because this current outbreak is going on a week and is going away but previous outbreaks were in a different location (shaft of penis,head) and usually went away within 4 days or so. I guess I could get blood sampled for hsv2 to be sure either way. I am in a tropical climate now and humidity is high and I sweat daily so maybe that is causing the lengthy recovery.
I asked about the discoloration after sex just to know if it was a typical side effect with genital hsv. It seems that friction is the main trigger of "my" outbreaks because during the first year of hsv1 even after masturbation my penis would look raw but that has subsided now.
From experience or information gathered, how often does someone get infected with hsv2 after genital hsv1? Doesn't the anitbodies provide some protection since both viruses are over 50% the same genes?
My sympthoms sound textbook atypical but I was just curious about the infection rate of those currently with genital hsv1 that later on became infected with hsv2 as well because there is not too much current studies or reliable data on the net to draw a personal conclusion about whether a previous genital hsv1 would provide any immunity or protection against genital hsv2.
Including this current outbreak, the first was much more severe, I am just concerned because this current outbreak is going on a week and is going away but previous outbreaks were in a different location (shaft of penis,head) and usually went away within 4 days or so. I guess I could get blood sampled for hsv2 to be sure either way. I am in a tropical climate now and humidity is high and I sweat daily so maybe that is causing the lengthy recovery.
I asked about the discoloration after sex just to know if it was a typical side effect with genital hsv. It seems that friction is the main trigger of "my" outbreaks because during the first year of hsv1 even after masturbation my penis would look raw but that has subsided now.
From experience or information gathered, how often does someone get infected with hsv2 after genital hsv1? Doesn't the anitbodies provide some protection since both viruses are over 50% the same genes?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Wlecome to the forum. I'll try to help.
You describe an atypical course for genital HSV-1, which usually causes few recurrent outbreaks. And those outbreaks don't sound typical either. How was the initial infection diagnosed? Were recurrent outbreaks specifically diagnosed by lab testing? I'm not doubting the initial diagnosis, but wonder whether it might have been HSV-2 all along; orif you might have had initial herpes plus another cause for genital irritation and rash.
To answer the basic question you ask, certainly it is possible to catch genital HSV-2 on top of HSV-1, and one clue to that is a change in frequency or other aspects of recurrent episodes. However, as I just implied, your description of recent symptoms doesn't sound much like herpes. And for sure you were at low risk, based on the condom-protected exposure; and sex doesn't trigger herpes outbreaks, and symptoms of a new infection can't start Immediately after sex. And herpes lesions cannot begin and fade in a matter of hours. (if that's what you have been experiencing all along, for sure these things were not caused by your presumed HSV-1 infection.)
You're on the right track to sort this out, with an HSV-2 blood test. You may not have to wait 3 months; about 80% of newly infected people have positive results by 4-6 weeks. If positive then, you'll know, and if negative you can be pretty sure you don't have it and can confirm with another test at 3-4 months. In addition, if you develop a more typical outbreak, you can see a clinic or doctor within 1-2 days for direct testing of the lesions for HSV, always the best way to nail a herpes diagnosis.
Feel free to return with information to fill some of these gaps in the story. But lab testing is the route to a definitive answer.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You describe an atypical course for genital HSV-1, which usually causes few recurrent outbreaks. And those outbreaks don't sound typical either. How was the initial infection diagnosed? Were recurrent outbreaks specifically diagnosed by lab testing? I'm not doubting the initial diagnosis, but wonder whether it might have been HSV-2 all along; orif you might have had initial herpes plus another cause for genital irritation and rash.
To answer the basic question you ask, certainly it is possible to catch genital HSV-2 on top of HSV-1, and one clue to that is a change in frequency or other aspects of recurrent episodes. However, as I just implied, your description of recent symptoms doesn't sound much like herpes. And for sure you were at low risk, based on the condom-protected exposure; and sex doesn't trigger herpes outbreaks, and symptoms of a new infection can't start Immediately after sex. And herpes lesions cannot begin and fade in a matter of hours. (if that's what you have been experiencing all along, for sure these things were not caused by your presumed HSV-1 infection.)
You're on the right track to sort this out, with an HSV-2 blood test. You may not have to wait 3 months; about 80% of newly infected people have positive results by 4-6 weeks. If positive then, you'll know, and if negative you can be pretty sure you don't have it and can confirm with another test at 3-4 months. In addition, if you develop a more typical outbreak, you can see a clinic or doctor within 1-2 days for direct testing of the lesions for HSV, always the best way to nail a herpes diagnosis.
Feel free to return with information to fill some of these gaps in the story. But lab testing is the route to a definitive answer.
Regards-- 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.
