[Question #9440] Terrified
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32 months ago
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Hi,
I’m asking about anxiety. How scared should I be about giving herpes to all the people around me? Recently diagnosed with genital herpes HSV 1. I am terrified of giving it to my family. I know that it is sexually transmitted infection. I am just terrified of everything I touch (toilets, doorknobs, bedding) potentially giving someone herpes.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
32 months ago
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Genital HSV 1 is an STI as you know. It is NOT transmitted to household members in any way unless you are having sex with them. It is most definitely not transmitted through toilets or doorknobs or bedding. In fact, HSV 1 may never even recur for you - it is quite a benign infection for most people. And it is unlikely to be transmitted to sex partners as well because it is pretty inactive when found in the genital area. Transmission is not impossible but unlikely. Do you have other questions about HSV 1 genital infection?
Terri
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32 months ago
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Thank you so much. I have been crying myself to sleep so scared of giving it to my family.
I took a blood test. It said high positive 59.50 lgG. Which from everything I have read from you, that means that I have had hsv 1 at some point. I have had major issues of burning and my pelvic lymph nodes swollen for 2 weeks. Is there a test to tell me if I have HSV in my mouth or genitally?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
32 months ago
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Now I'm pretty confused - you said you had been diagnosed with genital HSV 1. I'm not clear why you are wondering if you have it genitally or orally? Was a swab test done of a concerning lesion or are you just going by a high index value on the antibody test? Have you ever in your life had a cold sore in your nose or on your lip? Yes, your index value suggests that you've had this for quite some time - this is not new.
Terri
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32 months ago
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I was just going by the high value blood test. I have had a cold sore. I have never had a sore down there but I had burning and tingling down there. As well as swollen lymph nodes in my groin area. I have had the swollen lympth nodes now for 2 weeks and still have burning.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
32 months ago
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Ok, now I understand. You have had a cold sore so your HSV 1 infection is oral. Once you have infection in one location (oral for you), it is highly unlikely that you would then get it in a new location. Burning and tingling in the genital area with swollen lymph nodes does not indicate a herpes infection. There are many things that could cause those symptoms and this is something that should be evaluated by a health care provider. Herpes does not come to the top of my list at all, especially not HSV 1 since you have it orally.
Terri
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