[Question #10127] HSV-1
 |
25 months ago
|
What is the possibility/odds
of acquiring HSV-1 on genitals when I had a previous HSV-1 infection from oral cold
sores dating back to 1986?
 |
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
25 months ago
|
The risk of that is very low. I have seen one case where this happened in my entire career.
Terri
--- |
25 months ago
|
I’ve had cold sores (HSV-1) since 1986…..not sure how long I had the virus before then.
As a followup to my initial question, I had a non-painful rash with red dots on penis head (I’m not cicumcised) back in 2010. There never were blisters , discharge, or ulcers. Previously in 1997, both a dermatologist and GP diagnosed me with a fungal infection which had different symptoms (assured me it wasn’t HSV)…..non-painful split on shaft of penis so I assumed 2010 rash was fungal as well given I had not been sexually active in timeframe between. Both episodes did seem to heal with antifungal Tinnactin. An igg blood test in 2010 and this past week show pos for HSV-1 and neg for HSV-2 (15.8 test value with high ref>1.09) but I already knew I had HSV-1 from oral cold sores.
My gut tells me the 2010 rash was something like balantis based on my symptoms.
Bottom line, I’ve let the fact that I have mild cold sores (once/year) kill any potential relationship with a woman and I guess I don’t know 100% that I somehow didn’t get reinfected below the belt with it. Trying to be responsible and not spread it to anyone else but the process has left me a lonely man.
What are odds of spreading HSV-1 both orally and from genitals and does igg test value have any correlation to likihood it can be spread by assymtomatic shedding?
|
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
25 months ago
|
The index value you obtained from the IgG test for your HSV 1 just says you have a well-established HSV 1 infection - not new.
About 47% of the US population between 14 and 49 are positive for HSV 1, but about 70% of those don't know it - about a 50-50 chance that the next person you are with will also have HSV 1. We don't have transmission data for oral or genital HSV 1.
It sounds like your penis head rash was balanitis, yes
If, by some very odd circumstance, you got HSV 1 genitally, you may not even know it, and if you did, it would be really unlikely to recur often or at all.
I sure wish you could put this in the perspective that it is common; you are very unlikely to get it genitally, and life it way too short for this to be in the way of relationships.
Terri
--- |
25 months ago
|
Thanks for the advice. BTW, I saw my GP about a separate issue and when I mentioned how I had allowed the HSV-1 oral to mess with my relationships, he looked at me like I was crazy and said cold sores were incredibly common…….in short, he said to go on with my life and I’m going to do just that going forward. I joined Positive Singles as I figure the best way to go would be to meet someone HSV-1 positive like me.
Question…….should I be concerned whether a potential date is HSV-1 oral like me, HSV-1 genital, or both given I’m HSV-1 positive oral and have immunity to HSV-1? I assume this immunity is more applicable to asymptomatic shedding and not when there might be a sore?
|
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
25 months ago
|
I think if a partner has HSV 1 in any location, they are likely not to get it in a new location, just like you.
I'm glad that your doctor also confirmed that you should go on and live your life fully!
Terri
---