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herpes gladiatorum -- risk of transmission?
Hello,
I have recently been diagnosed with herpes gladiatorum. I train in jiu-jitsu and I contracted this from a guy I was grappling with who I later learned had a cold sore at the time. My initial outbreak spanned from around the belly button down to the top of where my shorts fit. It basically covered that whole area, but nowhere else.
I went to see a doctor who confirmed it was herpes with a swab culture. He then told me I need to be careful with future sex partners. I asked him to clarify and he said he wasn't sure because it was an unusual case, but he has seen men with genital herpes with outbreaks around this area (lower abdomen). So, he said I might be at risk of developing a genital infection or transmitting the virus during sex.
I am hoping for a second opinion. Do you think there is a risk that this will spread to my genitals or that I will be at risk to transmit this during sex? What precautions do I need to take with future sex partners? What about grappling partners?
I have recently been diagnosed with herpes gladiatorum. I train in jiu-jitsu and I contracted this from a guy I was grappling with who I later learned had a cold sore at the time. My initial outbreak spanned from around the belly button down to the top of where my shorts fit. It basically covered that whole area, but nowhere else.
I went to see a doctor who confirmed it was herpes with a swab culture. He then told me I need to be careful with future sex partners. I asked him to clarify and he said he wasn't sure because it was an unusual case, but he has seen men with genital herpes with outbreaks around this area (lower abdomen). So, he said I might be at risk of developing a genital infection or transmitting the virus during sex.
I am hoping for a second opinion. Do you think there is a risk that this will spread to my genitals or that I will be at risk to transmit this during sex? What precautions do I need to take with future sex partners? What about grappling partners?
A related discussion, Does Herpes gladiatorum spread to become genital herpes was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There are no cases of herpes gladiatorum that either Dr. Handsfield or I have seen or heard of that were not due to HSV-1. If your doctor does not know, you can presume that your infection is due to HSV-1.
You assumption that genital herpes can cause recurrences is incorrect. The nerves which were infected by an infection on the lower abdomen are not the same as the nerves which serve the genitals, thus given the location of your lesions, you are not at all likely to develop genital recurrences or have genital infections.
I would not worry other than to advise you that, in the unlikely circumstance that you have an abdominal recurrence, I would avoid placing yourself in a situation in which the lesions came into contact with another person. EWH .
You assumption that genital herpes can cause recurrences is incorrect. The nerves which were infected by an infection on the lower abdomen are not the same as the nerves which serve the genitals, thus given the location of your lesions, you are not at all likely to develop genital recurrences or have genital infections.
I would not worry other than to advise you that, in the unlikely circumstance that you have an abdominal recurrence, I would avoid placing yourself in a situation in which the lesions came into contact with another person. EWH .
Thanks for helping, Doctor.
To answer your question, I do not know what type it is. It sounds like it would be better if it is HSV-1. I will try to find out.
I'm not sure I follow the part about nerve distributions. My understanding is that a genital infection can lead to recurrences on the lower abdomen -- is that right? If so, why wouldn't the reverse be possible? That is, an infection on the lower abdomen followed by genital recurrence. That's my main concern.
To answer your question, I do not know what type it is. It sounds like it would be better if it is HSV-1. I will try to find out.
I'm not sure I follow the part about nerve distributions. My understanding is that a genital infection can lead to recurrences on the lower abdomen -- is that right? If so, why wouldn't the reverse be possible? That is, an infection on the lower abdomen followed by genital recurrence. That's my main concern.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. This is not a common problem. I hope I won't get too complicated on you. Your herpes gladiatorum is most likely due to HSV-1. If so, this is a good thing as non-oral HSV-1 (such as I presume you have) recurs infrequently. Further, this infection is not typically transmitted to persons who already have HSV-1 and over 60% of American adults have the infection (most people with infection do not know it) and thus cannot get it again. All of this tends to make your infection less infectious for others.
As to what parts of your body are infected and where the infection might be transferred from, it is important to understand that HSV is really an infection of nerves and when it recurs it recurs in the distribution of the nerves which supply the area that was originally infected. In your case, the nerves around the navel/lower abdomen do not typically serve the genitals as well so I would not be too worried about your infection involving genital areas or being transmitted through genital contact.
Bottom line, assuming that this is HSV-1 (do you know for sure) and given what I think is the location of your infection, there is relatively little risk for both recurrence and for transmission to others. EWH
As to what parts of your body are infected and where the infection might be transferred from, it is important to understand that HSV is really an infection of nerves and when it recurs it recurs in the distribution of the nerves which supply the area that was originally infected. In your case, the nerves around the navel/lower abdomen do not typically serve the genitals as well so I would not be too worried about your infection involving genital areas or being transmitted through genital contact.
Bottom line, assuming that this is HSV-1 (do you know for sure) and given what I think is the location of your infection, there is relatively little risk for both recurrence and for transmission to others. EWH
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.
