Good morning,

I am writing to gain insight regarding my risk of transmission.

Im a female, 29. I test positive for hsv1 since 2012.

Last I was tested (a couple years ago —and I have only had one vaginal sexual encounter since, Which was condom-protected), I only tested positive for hsv1.

Operating under the assumption that this remains the case...

I am hyper-vigilant regarding hsv1 oral outbreaks. I keep Valtrex on hand and if i have any sense that I could be getting an outbreak, I will take it. 

There are times, expectedly, when I take it and I see no further progression of an outbreak. I presume that can mean the Valtrex halted the outbreak or perhaps I wasn’t going to get an outbreak at all.

Last Wednesday I felt worn down, my lips were getting dry and inflamed, and I presumed I could be getting an outbreak. I took a Valtrex Thursday morning (probably should’ve taken it Wednesday but I didn’t have as much lip inflammation so I wasnt necessarily thinking about hsv1 just yet).

I took my second pill Thursday night.

I negligently kissed and performed oral on one of my male friends Thursday night, who I have a bit of a dating history with. He performed oral on me too. That was our only encounter. 

 

I’m not a big dater and i guess I’m not used to thinking about NOT kissing or performing oral sex if i have an inkling about an hsv1 outbreak. 

I do feel i am having an outbreak. It’s somewhat hard to tell because I get the sores on the pink part of my lips and it doesn’t seem to crust and scab in quite the same way as for people who get sores on the lip/skin border. But the general progression of an outbreak seems to be occurring - feeling rundown Wednesday followed by dry inflamed Lips Thursday’s followed by what seemed to be bumpy/raised areas with greater sensitivity Friday-sat and now back to dryness/crustiness. 

So, I now wonder and worry: 

What’s the risk I transmitted hsv1 to my friend orally? Genitally? Both?

I’m very concerned and not sure how to proceed here.

Thank you so much. 

This depends a lot upon whether the male already has HSV 1 infection.  About half the population between 14 and 49 do have HSV 1.  Even if he has not had a cold sore or genital lesions he could be infected with HSV 1.  It might be worth discussing this with him.  It is possible that you infected him with HSV 1 but not 100% certain at all!  This is especially true since you did not actually have a cold sore when you gave him oral sex.  If he is going to develop symptoms, it would happen within 2-10 days, so you know the time frame. 

Please let me know what other questions you might have.

Terri