TheOneInFour

Hi Colin,

So sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand you'd be concerned. The good news is it's not 100% probable that you have contracted herpes genitally. But of course there is a chance that you did.

I can't give you solid numbers but I can say that the fact that you already have HSV-1 orally (cold sores) does provide a certain amount of protection against contracting it elsewhere. However, it can still happen, as others on this board will testify.

In order for herpes to "take hold" at a new location, there needs to be some kind of entry into the skin, like even a tiny cut or scratch. If there is no entry point for the virus it can't take hold, which is partly why some people get it while others might not, given the same kind of exposure.

Another factor is that if your friend has HSV-1 orally (by far the most common cause of cold sores; rarely HSV-2), HSV-1 doesn't "take hold" as easily in the genital area, so that could afford some protection too.

I think at this point all you can do is watch out for genital symptoms, which could include blisters, sores, swelling, bumps, red area, rash, etc. You should also be aware of any itching, burning or tingling in a spot in that area, which might indicate an OB happening, although you may or may not get visual symptoms in that case. No need to get totally paranoid about the slightest twinge, but be aware of anything persistent or strong in one place.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending how you look at it, HSV-1 genitally tends to produce much less severe symptoms and fewer OBs. So if you do have it, that's good news but it might also make it harder to tell if you do in fact have it there.

Sorry not to be able to give you a more solid answer about this. Herpes is far from an exact science and sometimes it seems to have more exceptions than rules. LOL If you do get what might be symptoms, get in to see your doc ASAP and get a swab culture done on the spot in question. Unfortunately false negative results are very common, but it's still worth a try. Just get in there ideally within 24-48 hours of when the symptoms first start.

Good luck! Keep us posted how you make out.

TheOneInFour