Hello, I received unprotected oral sex from a relatively new partner on the night of Feb 20th.  On the morning of February 19th, my partner started to feel a cold sore coming on so she made an appointment and took 2g of Valtrex on the evening of February 19th and 2g of Valtrex on the morning of February 20th as instructed by her doctor.  I could not even notice a cold sore/lesion after examining her lips and she told me she felt no tingling/burning upon waking up on February 20th after her first dose of the Valtrex on the evening of the 19th so she assumed she was in the clear.  Upon finding out about her cold sore I am understandably(I think) freaking out.

I would also like to mention that I was in a relationship with a woman for 8 years where we had a very healthy, unprotected, monogamous sex life.  She was also HSV1 positive orally and we were just careful to not partake in sexual activity when she was having an outbreak (a couple times a year, usually).  I realize this means I may be HSV1 positive and just asymptomatic, which would likely help me in this instance.  I've never had a cold sore or any type of genital outbreak in my life.

My questions are:

Is there any type of medication/therapy I can take now to lessen to chances of me contracting genital HSV1?

Am I likely to be HSV1 positive already given my past experience in my prior relationship even though I've never experienced an outbreak of any kind?

If I don't experience an outbreak within 10ish days am I in the clear? If you were in my situation, would you partake in any other testing assuming I do not experience an obvious outbreak?

Is there any type of medication/therapy I can take now to lessen to chances of me contracting genital HSV1?

Nope, it is too late for that.

Am I likely to be HSV1 positive already given my past experience in my prior relationship even though I've never experienced an outbreak of any kind?

Given that half the adult population in the US has HSV 1 and given that you were in a relationship with someone who has HSV 1 for a long time, I would say the chances are pretty good that you are HSV 1 positive, but you could do a test and find out.

If I don't experience an outbreak within 10ish days am I in the clear? If you were in my situation, would you partake in any other testing assuming I do not experience an obvious outbreak?

Usually, a new infection will present itself with symptoms within 10 days, yes.  

I think I might test for HSV 1 to stop worrying about contracting it when I might already have it, yes

Terri

Hi Terri,

Thanks so much, I really appreciate this service - I'm admittedly very anxious right now but feeling fine otherwise. I just wanted to mention that she never had an actual blister or sore really develop - the seemed seemed to have stopped it in its tracks.

What test would you recommend I do for HSV1? (I do think this might ease my mind a bit)

Would her being on such a high dose of anti-virals have lowered my chances of contracting the virus genitally?

Is the chance of contracting the virus for a single exposure like this high?  (I realize you don't have exact figures, just looking for your personal opinion)

If I'm indeed HSV1 positive, it is very unlikely that I have been infected genitally in this circumstance, correct?

How quickly should I expect to see an outbreak if I've contracted the virus?

Is transmission almost certain given her symptoms?  I realize there will be no exact figure but given my past history, her strong dose of anti virals, no physical symptoms and almost non-existant physical sore, would you say my chances of transmission are relatively low?

Thanks again!

High dose antivirals definitely reduce the amount of virus around.

I wouldn't say high, no.

Yes, if you are already infected, you don't need to worry about this encounter or any other encounter with someone who is already infected with HSV 1 like you

Outbreaks would happen within 2-10 days of infection, most often

No, it is not almost certain.  

Terri

Remember  if you do an IgG, there are false positives for HSV 2 on those.  I will keep this post open until you post results.