I did a full STD test and tested positive for HSV-1 (17.10). I went in to my OBGYN today and he got me in an out of his office. He just said he didnt think it was a big deal that 70% of people had it. I asked him if there was a possibility this could be genital and his response was that if I didnt have any painful blisters in my vagina I should assume it wasnt. He proceeded to tell me he didnt understand why I got the test in the first place, if I wasnt showing any symptoms in my mouth or genitals. 

 

My questions are:

1. What is the possibility I passed this on to my partner? We have been active for about 2yrs and have never used protection & we have had oral sex?

2. What precautions should be taken going forward?

3. what symptoms should I look for just in case it is genital? Or if it is genital should I have had an outbreak already?

4. What other information should I know? I am very worried for my future. 

 

We don't have any data on HSV 1 transmission either from your mouth or your genitals.  It is most often oral and can be transmitted via oral sex if it is oral.  Have you ever had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose?  Has your partner?  Or has your partner been tested for HSV 1?
I cannot answer what precautions you should take unless I know your partner's status for HSV 1.
You should look for genital sores to try to see genital infection symptoms. 
More than half the population in the US are infected with HSV 1.  About 70% of those don't have any symptoms or recognize that they are infected.  Please don't worry about your future - this has been around for centuries!

Terri
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Not that I can remember which is why  im worried its somewhere else? Maybe when ive been sick, but cant say for sure. 

You could certainly talk to your partners about your HSV 1 status. Since more than half the population has HSV 1 and most don't know it and the test misses 30% of infections, compared to the western blot, it's a bit tricky.  If your infection is oral yes you can transmit this via kissing.  Experts are not clear on whether you should disclose this prior to kissing anyone.  If your partners have ever in their life had a cold sore on their lip or in their nose, they are not vulnerable to your HSV 1 infection.

Terri
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I told both of my partners about being HSV-1 positive and coming back negative for all other test. I said most likely this is do to cold sores, but i dont know and that they should get tested. Maybe I have been reading so much about it that I am very freaked out. But they said "glad everything is ok". I didnt use the word herpes and maybe thats why they didnt think it was a big deal. What other information should I give them? 

I think you have given them enough information now. 

Terri
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