53 years old, married 17 years, newly diagnosed via vaginal swab with hsv-1.  I was given a 10 day course of Valtrex with 4 refills. My husband has never been diagnosed, but has admitted to occasional gum sores and I've seen 3-4 lip "sun blisters" over the course of our marriage. There's no reason to suspect infidelity. We had recently engaged in oral sex, as we have for years. From what I gathered, I'm the most contagious I'm ever going to be right now and through the next year. I am highly unlikely to spread herpes to my eyes, finger, or mouth by accidentally touching myself  or in the shower with my washcloth or towel - please confirm. I am also highly unlikely to pass this to my husband's genitals (assuming he gave it to me- please confirm as he is unwilling to start wearing condoms). There is so much conflicting information on the internet regarding this. What is the prognosis for me as I age- my immune system is already considered to be weakened by my age- is my body less able to fight this than if I were in my 20s? Should we receive additional testing? thanks in advance-

Sun blisters are HSV 1 and it sounds like he gave you this virus by giving you oral sex.  It's not possible to know from your description of the outbreak whether this is a new or older infection and it likely doesn't matter.  All the statements that you made are correct.  You've done a great job with your research.  I do not think you need additional testing, no, but if you did an IgG blood test it would help you know if this is new or old infection.  If it is a new infection and you did the IgG right away, it might still be negative as it is too early in the infection to be positive yet.---

Your final sentence literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for that kindness and assurance. This has been hard on me, mentally. I believe this was a primary infection as the timeline makes sense. It was quite painful (thought it was a UTI or yeast infection) I've never had any symptoms and was extensively tested prior to doing IVF. (told at that time I'd never been exposed to any sti's, but I guess that test could have been wrong) Could my age (vaginal atrophy) have contributed to my infection?  Do you have any quick thoughts on the newly reported link between hsv and dementia? And again, thank you-

I think your age could have contributed to the discomfort you have, as we women, of a certain age, do tend to have discomfort as we have less estrogen in the genital area.  ---

I believe there was at least one lesion, accompanied by what appeared to be a red rash.  I initially went to my PA for suspected UTI/yeast. After starting meds, I got what I thought was a rash- after- completing prescribed antibiotics and antifungal ( a week later- I went back to the PA for the rash- and she sent me to the gyn. I had at least one lesion that she saw, but externally there were red bumps... (are those lesions?) They never ruptured- they just slowly went away, but by then, I had started valtrex.

Hard to say about the bumps but if they were separate from the lesion they identified, perhaps not.  I wish we had an IgG test to know for sure if this was new or old, but perhaps it doesn't really matter.---