[Question #13838] Really scared ghsv1 transmission

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1 months ago
Ive had ghsv1 for about 10yrs now. I just recently had unprotected sex with a female and before sex i noticed itching in pubic area. I checked and it looked like a hair bump and there was a hair in the center so i proceeded to have sex. This morning after she left i noticed itching again so i checked. The bump still looks like a hair bump but then i noticed 2 more bumps under that one that look like herpes. I am now extremely worried because i know its an outbreak and scared i just gave her herpes. She doesnt know i have it and i asked her if she ever had cold sores a while back. She said no. The bumps havent burst yet but my question is what are the chances that she will get the virus from this encounter because from the bumps being only in my pubic hair area and possibly rubbing against her buttocks?
Im freaking out .
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1 months ago
I forgot to mention we had sex last night and then again this morning then she leftband thats when i noticed the outbreak. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
1 months ago
It's really hard to know the risk here since the bumps are in the pubic hair area.  I don't think rubbing against her buttocks is a real risk unless she has a break in the skin of the buttocks, as that skin is quite thick and the virus would have nowhere to enter.  However, you could also be shedding virus from the penis at the same time you are having an outbreak in the pubic hair.  Was a condom used?  If yes, that's great.  If no, that's a real concern.  I think the ethical thing to do here is to notify her of your HSV-1 infection and have her be on the lookout for any lesions so she can treat them promptly if anything concerning shows up.
Terri
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1 months ago
We did not use a condom and was in two different positions (front and back) im just very worried because if i had known i was having an outbreak i wouldnt have done anything. 
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1 months ago
I dont know if i get a follow up question but is the risks high from being in the missionary position while my outbreak is in the pubic hair area?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
1 months ago
I wouldn't say the risk is high but it is not zero.  Intercourse is such a variable thing with couples, it is impossible to know for sure if the area of the outbreak came into contact with a vulnerable location on her body, but the fact remains that you could also be shedding virus from the penis when you have an outbreak elsewhere in the area innervated by the nerve that supplies that entire area.  
Remember that even though she doesn't report a cold sore history, she could still have an asymptomatic HSV 1 infection

Terri
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1 months ago
Ok. My last question is regarding daily medication. I asked my dr before to be on daily medication and he kinda shunned the idea because of i dont have frequent outbreaks. 
Could taking it daily cause negative effects on me and do they stop future outbreaks completely or would i still have inevitable outbreaks here and there? I dont want to take something as im having an outbreak. I want to take meds to prevent them as much as possible. She is also aware now and is understanding and chooses to be involved with me.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
1 months ago
There are no realistic negative impacts from this drug.  I will reduce the frequency of viral shedding and outbreaks but may not eliminate them altogether.  Condoms would also be useful in addition to medication to reduce the risk of transmission of HSV
Terri
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