[Question #6052] HSV - 1 Asymptomatic Shedding
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71 months ago
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In
the United States, what are the chances of spreading the HSV – 1 virus by
asymptomatic shedding??
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
70 months ago
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After a person has had HSV 1 genital infection for two years, they only shed virus on 4 days a year. When a person has new infection with genital HSV 1, they shed virus on about 13 out of every 100 days. And shedding does not always mean infection will occur. So HSV 1 is unlikely to be transmitted via intercourse, though it has been documented to happen.
Terri
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70 months ago
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This is not the answer I was expecting although I'll admit I didn't ask my initial question clearly. I'll ask differently. I'm 66 years old and have had HSV-1 ever since I was about 5 years old. I get recurring active labialis breakouts (cold sores) 3 - 4 times per year. I have recently tested negative for HSV-2. Over the years I've managed to spread the breakout area to various locations around my lip and nose area from the original breakout location at the corner of my mouth. Thankfully, I've managed to avoid spreading it to my penis. My question is this: When I don't have an active breakout in my mouth/nose area, what are the chances of transferring HSV-1 to my partner (who has recently tested negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2) by asymptomatic shedding when either kissing her or performing direct oral sex on her not using a dental dam?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
70 months ago
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OK, now I get your question. Since you have had HSV 1 for so many years, it is extremely unlikely that you would acquire this in a new location on your body. We have no specific data on the likelihood of transmission of HSV 1 from mouths to genitals. We do know that people who have frequently recurring HSV 1 orally shed virus on about 25% of days evaluated. If your partner already has oral HSV 1 as well as you, the risk of transmission to someone's genital's via oral sex is also incredibly low.
Terri
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70 months ago
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By
what percentage do you think the chances of spreading the HSV – 1 virus by asymptomatic
shedding can be reduced by taking 500 mg of Valacyclovir along with 1,000
milligrams of L-Lysine (500 milligrams in the morning and evening) on a daily basis??
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
70 months ago
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I would say, based on what we know about it's impact on HSV 2, that it would reduce shedding by close to half.
And in response to your earlier statement about spreading it to other parts of your face, that is in accurate. The virus has simply "chosen" to travel on a slightly different nerve to get to the surface of the skin. The areas you describe are all innervated by the same basic nerve group. And it would be extremely unlikely, after an immune response has been mounted to the virus (4 months out from infection), that you would then spread this to your penis.
Terri
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