[Question #7200] chances for getting HSV1 to partners genitals
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59 months ago
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I have a healing cold sore on the corner of my lip. I have been on Valacyclovir 1 gm for 3 days and using topical L-Lysine to keep the cold sore moist and healing. My new boyfriend and I discussed the cold sore and that it was herpes simplex 1. He didn't think that he has ever had a cold sore but he chose to still kiss me. I have had HSV1 for many years, probably a minimum of 7 years (last time I think I had a cold sore), but think I have probably had HSV1 for at least 15 years. Later in the evening, things got very heated and he put on a condom. He was pleasuring me orally and then we were ready for intercourse. Due to issues with the condom, he removed it as he was frustrated with the condom. Both of us didn't even think about it and I gave him oral sex for maybe 2 minutes. We didn't have intercourse. The problem was that we still didn't even think about my cold sore until the next morning. What are the chances that a healing cold sore (scabbed over) could have infected him with HSV1 in the genital area? Would valacyclovir be worthwhile for him immediately? Should he get tested for STD's and if so, how long should he wait?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
59 months ago
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It's not possible to say if you were shedding virus at the time that you gave him oral sex, but hopefully, with the medication you were taking and the healing process, the viral shedding was at least significantly reduced.
I think right now, the best strategy is to observe him carefully for symptoms and if he starts to get lesions on his penis, he should start on antivirals right away. Alternatively, or in addition to, he could get an IgG test and see if he is also positive for HSV 1. About half the population is positive for HSV 1. If you are both positive for HSV 1, then all of this is not a concern.
Terri
Terri
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59 months ago
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My Partner was tested and his HSV Dash one was 21 and his HSV Dash two was 1.18. Did I give him herpes one and two?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
59 months ago
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He already has HSV 1 and it isn't possible to know who gave this to him. His HSV 1 infection, based on the number associated with his result, is NOT new. And once he has HSV 1 in one location on his body, he is highly unlikely to get it in a new location. And you didn't give him HSV 2 if you don't have it. Do you know if you have HSV 2? Have you been tested for this? His HSV 2 index value is very low and is likely a false positive, but he needs clarification on that result, preferably from a herpes western blot.
Terri
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59 months ago
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I definitely do not have HSV-2. My lab results said I was in the normal range, or less than 0.91. He is surprised to have HSV-1 since he has never had a cold sore but he did mention that he would get some acne that would weep clear fluid. Could that truly have been HSV-1 on the face? If so, how can it be transferred to the face? Lastly, if my result for HSV-1 was 31, was that because I had an outbreak or will it always be that high?
Thank you!
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
59 months ago
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It certainly could have been a cold sore on his face, yes.
The index value of the test only confirms that you've been infected for a while. It isn't high because you had an outbreak and by itself, it has no other meaning. It will likely always be high, indicating you've built a robust immune response to the virus. And so has he!
Terri
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