Hsv-1 - Herpes Message Board

autumn23 · 04-01-2004, 07:15 AM

OK I'm freaking out! I recieved a call from my ex-boyfriend of 5 yrs. (broke up in Jan) stating that he was diagnosised with gential HSV-1, and I'm the only partner he's ever had orally and sexually. We have been seeing eachother on and off this past month, and I was sexually active with another person who I informed of the situation and is getting checked also. I have had a pap smear this past month before any of this came up and symptoms of extremely mild HPV were found but I didn't think anything of it, are these two related in anyway? I just went back for a more thorough check yesterday, but I now have to wait a week to find out what I have. I told my doctor my conserns, but I wasn't satisfied with him...he just had me go for a blood test and didn't give me any info on what he thought about the situation.

A couple of weeks ago I came down with cold like symptoms (sore throat, cough, drowziness) and thought nothing of it and went to the doctor and was put on antibiotics for it and of course the meds gave me (from what I thought, never had one) a yeast infection and was given a pill to get rid of it from my doctor without a check. I also just started the nuvaring (birthcontrol) this past month, so I thought from the yeast infection and the irritation from the ring was what caused alittle of itching down there, but I have no other symptoms. I have not kissed anyone with cold sores or done anything with anyone who have the symptoms I've read about. Could he have got thins from me if i've never had an OB of anykind and he already has?

I just can't believe he insists that he got this from me...I feel ashamed and victomized. I just need someone to talk to or help me find some answers. Thanks....

devastated · 04-01-2004, 10:21 AM

Actually, it is quite possible he caught it from you, but that you are NOT infected genitally. In fact, if he did catch it from you, chances are it was from you performing oral sex on him, and he caught it from your mouth (not from having intercourse with you). It would be quite uncommon, actually, for you NOT to be infected orally with herpes type 1, as it is estimated that at least 80% of the population is infected orally with HSV1 by the time they reach 14 years of age, with most people contracting it while they are young children via non-sexual means such as an infected relative kissing them on the cheek, etc. Have you ever had a coldsore on your lip before? Even if not, only about 20% of those infected orally with HSV1 ever get coldsores, the rest never get symptoms, but still carry the virus and can pass it to others.

I am in the same situation that your boyfriend is in actually, in that I contracted HSV1 genitally from my boyfriend's mouth. Even though he doesn't get coldsores, he still tested positive for type 1. My doctor is sure it came from his mouth, because I basically broke out with herpes sores everywhere his mouth touched, including my nipples, and we hadn't had actual intercourse yet, only oral sex.

It sucks for your boyfriend to now be infected genitally, but really you having type 1 orally is no big deal, you are in the vast majority. At least HSV1 genitally doesn't recur very often, and when it does, it tends to be very mild. In the past year and a half, I have had only two further outbreaks, and each one consisted of only 1 or 2 small bumps that really didn't bother me at all except for a mild itch.

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them for you.

devastated · 04-01-2004, 10:22 AM

Oh, HSV and HPV are not related in any way.

autumn23 · 04-01-2004, 11:22 AM

Thank you for the reply! I have never had any type of cold sore before, but I'm not denying at all that he could've recieved it from me. It's a definite scary thought. If I did give it to him without knowing I had it how is the disease transmitted, meaning how do I know when it's active? Does this mean everyone I even kiss should be aware that I have this? Please let me know, I would like to know as much as possible. If there is any other information you think I need to know please do tell. Thank You!

devastated · 04-01-2004, 11:34 AM

Well, it would be transmitted by contact with your mouth. Yes, you could infect someone else's mouth by kissing them (provided they are not already infected, which most people are), and of course, someone else's genitals by performing oral sex. Most people have it orally anyway.....at least 8 out of every 10 people you meet will already be infected in their mouths. The virus is contageous while symptoms are present, i.e., a coldsore, and also during asymptomatic viral shedding; which means the virus is active and contageous, but no symptoms are present.....basically an invisible outbreak. I think I read a medical study that estimated that these "asymptomatic shedding" days average about 10 days per year, but vary from person to person. There is, unfortunately, no way to tell when this asymptomatic shedding is taking place.

You should encourage your ex-boyfriend to visit Healthboards and ask any questions he may have.