[Question #5664] Hsv 2 genial to oral transmission

Avatar photo
73 months ago
I have had hsv2 for 13 years with only initial outbreak and maybe two others. I have never had any bumps or open ulcers or lesions the entire time except for the initial outbreak. Which was an very small lesion inside the vaginal opening on the wall. I have been taking valtrex 500mg for 13yrs everyday and sometimes 1000mg. Recently I  have a some unexpected oral encouters.  I asked my doctor what the possibility of transmission to the other person sine it was once ans not long. I am aware there is always risk even after 13years. My doctor advised yes there is risk even the one time but with taking the meds daily this long it cuts it by less than half and me not ever have the usual bumps or lesions or any ulcers also cuts the risk. I'm at a lost and scared I my have given this to someone. Is the info the doctor advised correct and is going horse or possible sore throat a sign they could have it? Its been 10-12days since. Person already had coldlike stuffiness before the encounter. The horseness got better but seems to have come back .
Avatar photo
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
73 months ago
I believe what your doctor said is true.  What we know for sure is that antiviral medicine reduces transmission of HSV 2 by about 50% (what he told you) and that people who have more frequent outbreaks have more frequent viral shedding (which you do not).  Hoarseness is not a sign of herpes nor are cold like symptoms.  Also, HSV 2 has a strong site preference for the genital area and doesn't like the mouth at all.  I am assuming that when you say you had an unexpected oral encounter, you mean that someone gave you oral sex, correct, not the reverse?  The reverse presents no risk at all

Terri
---
Avatar photo
73 months ago
Yes that is correct. Someone gave me oral about 10-12days ago, i have been so sad and worried i gave it to them because they said their voice started to go horse 2 days after but no fever or anything but seem to get better within a few days ago but I  still notice a slight hoarseness and sniffles. The encounter was only for a few minutes. They work in extreme heat conditions and also mention they had muscle cramps but they went away should i be concerned about this being a symptom? If no symptoms after 21 days or longer should i be concerned they have it? Also if there was this same encounter with another person more than one but not more than 3 times is that more of a risk and I should be overly concern? Can you have one symptom and have it like a headache maybe three weeks after an encounter like this. Believe me this won't be happening again ever too scared of passing this to someone. I know we can't  be 100% sure without a test but in your medical opinion on all the details what do you think about the situations and the risk? And if you go in to your doctor and the get a usual std screening, what all tests do they usually test for you you dont mention specific tests? And does having a autoimmune disorder increase the risk of transmission from genital to oral transmission?
Avatar photo
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
73 months ago
The think the risk is just incredibly small and though I know it is scaring you, I think it is going to all be just fine - no infection in him.  Autoimmune disease, depending on the disease, so not normally increase the risk of transmission, unless the suppression is significant and prolonged
STD screens are not standardized - it's whatever the clinician decides to order.

Terri
---
Avatar photo
73 months ago
Okay thanks i completely understand the frist encounter. The second situation, the autoimmune disorder is sarcoidosis. Besides this he is healthy. Is the risk still very low with the 3 encounters since may? Is a headache maybe 2 or 3 week after a sign he has it?
Avatar photo
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
73 months ago
Very very low.  A headache 2-3 later by itself is not a sign of herpes, no

Terri
---
Avatar photo
73 months ago
Ok thanks. So given all the details the 3 encounters with the same person, is the risk still low? And if no symptoms say in 4 weeks or longer. Is it okay to maybe stop being so concern because i dont want anyone to have to do unnecessary testing and uprooting their lives. Again this is not happening ever again.
Avatar photo
73 months ago
Also is do you think there is a chance this could show up aa positive on a blood test/std screening 
Avatar photo
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
73 months ago
Yes, the risk is very low.  But of course I have no idea if this person could have had herpes prior to his encounter with you.  If yes, then yes, it could should up on an STD screen, but if he is positive on the screen, there is close to zero chance it came from giving you oral sex. 

Terri
---