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Cleared up HSV-1 sore, re-infected with another sore 16 days later?
I have been HSV-1 since I was a kid and have gone years without getting a sore. This year, I’m on my 3rd sore in less than 4 months. First outbreak this year - cold sore was in May. I got another cold sore on my lip on August 13th and it was fully cleared up by August 20th. I take Valacyclovir 1000g pill at the first sign of an outbreak and continue that until it’s cleared up. I also up my L-Lysine dosage and apply aciclovir on the sore. So it cleared up fairly quickly.
I’m with a partner and didn’t see him for 10 days to make sure I didn’t infect him. My sore was completely healed at this point.
On Day 10 we kissed. Day 14 we engaged in sexual activity (oral sex and sex).
I wake up today with a red mark on my upper lip (not the same exact site as my previous infection but close by). I start panicking of course and take my Valacyclovir again. I also want to note that I have never had two outbreaks back to back so this is new for me.
I am panicking thinking that I might have infected my partner. Is it possible and highly likely that I could have transmitted this to him, even though the cold sore popped up days later?
I’m with a partner and didn’t see him for 10 days to make sure I didn’t infect him. My sore was completely healed at this point.
On Day 10 we kissed. Day 14 we engaged in sexual activity (oral sex and sex).
I wake up today with a red mark on my upper lip (not the same exact site as my previous infection but close by). I start panicking of course and take my Valacyclovir again. I also want to note that I have never had two outbreaks back to back so this is new for me.
I am panicking thinking that I might have infected my partner. Is it possible and highly likely that I could have transmitted this to him, even though the cold sore popped up days later?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you know if your partner has hsv1 already? The vast majority of people who have it never get symptoms. If he has it, he has antibodies that protect him from getting it again.
Have you considered going on suppressive therapy? That's taking Valtrex daily. You can take 500 mgs or 1000 mgs. I'd start at 500, and if that doesn't work, try 1000.
Also, I'd talk to your doctor to find out if something is happening with your body that is triggering all these outbreaks.
You can transmit hsv1 without having any symptoms, though it's more likely to transmit with symptoms. Since your outbreaks are so frequent, I'd consider yourself pretty contagious right now.
There's something called viral shedding. This is when the virus is active on the skin but we have no symptoms. Everyone sheds at different rates, but very generally speaking, the more frequent the outbreaks, the higher the rate of shedding. (This isn't always true - some people who never get outbreaks shed frequently, but for now, to be on the safe side, let's assume it's true for you.)
Your partner can get a type specific IgG blood test and find out of he has herpes. The hsv1 blood test isn't great - it misses a full 30% of infections. But if it's positive, at least you can relax, right?
He can get a test from his doctor, or if you're in the US, he can go to STDCheck.com or HealthLabs.com and get the test -
https://www.stdcheck.com/herpes-1-test.php
https://www.healthlabs.com/herpes-tests
He can order just the hsv1 test separately on both of these sites. He doesn't need to pay for the hsv2 test, and if he does get the hsv2 test, please note that there are false positives on those.
So, is it possible you transmitted this to him days before? Yes. It's not as likely without a sore, and you need to find out if he has it already. 67% of people under 50 have it globally, so he might already have it.
Have you considered going on suppressive therapy? That's taking Valtrex daily. You can take 500 mgs or 1000 mgs. I'd start at 500, and if that doesn't work, try 1000.
Also, I'd talk to your doctor to find out if something is happening with your body that is triggering all these outbreaks.
You can transmit hsv1 without having any symptoms, though it's more likely to transmit with symptoms. Since your outbreaks are so frequent, I'd consider yourself pretty contagious right now.
There's something called viral shedding. This is when the virus is active on the skin but we have no symptoms. Everyone sheds at different rates, but very generally speaking, the more frequent the outbreaks, the higher the rate of shedding. (This isn't always true - some people who never get outbreaks shed frequently, but for now, to be on the safe side, let's assume it's true for you.)
Your partner can get a type specific IgG blood test and find out of he has herpes. The hsv1 blood test isn't great - it misses a full 30% of infections. But if it's positive, at least you can relax, right?
He can get a test from his doctor, or if you're in the US, he can go to STDCheck.com or HealthLabs.com and get the test -
https://www.stdcheck.com/herpes-1-test.php
https://www.healthlabs.com/herpes-tests
He can order just the hsv1 test separately on both of these sites. He doesn't need to pay for the hsv2 test, and if he does get the hsv2 test, please note that there are false positives on those.
So, is it possible you transmitted this to him days before? Yes. It's not as likely without a sore, and you need to find out if he has it already. 67% of people under 50 have it globally, so he might already have it.
26 Comments
Thank you. I’ve heard of viral shedding before, but wasn’t sure if my viral shed load is as much since I’ve had it for over 20 years at this point.
He’s getting tested this week, so let’s see.
He’s getting tested this week, so let’s see.
At 20 years, you would normally be shedding less, but since you are having a lot of outbreaks, you are probably shedding more.
Keep me posted on everything. :)
Keep me posted on everything. :)
Thank you! I got to work today and got another cold sore. This is the 3rd sore I’ve had in a month.
Something is definitely going on with my body because I have never experienced this many in such a short period of time. They also don’t last as long, which I find strange.
Something is definitely going on with my body because I have never experienced this many in such a short period of time. They also don’t last as long, which I find strange.
Are you sure it's hsv1 that's happening? Maybe you're having an allergic reaction to something you're eating/drinking/using on your mouth.
Have you changed toothpaste, mouthwash, lip balm/lipstick/whatever, dental floss, anything? Have any of these products got a "new and improved" formula? I used the same lip balm for years and they changed the formula and I was suddenly allergic to it.
If it's none of those things, see your doctor. Find out what's happening so you can put a stop to it. It sounds miserable. :(
Have you changed toothpaste, mouthwash, lip balm/lipstick/whatever, dental floss, anything? Have any of these products got a "new and improved" formula? I used the same lip balm for years and they changed the formula and I was suddenly allergic to it.
If it's none of those things, see your doctor. Find out what's happening so you can put a stop to it. It sounds miserable. :(
I thought the same thing; that it may be an allergic reaction.
It’s only activated after I see my partner who has a thick coarse beard. I’m thinking it’s either I’m having a reaction to his beard because of something he’s using or something I’ve used/I’m eating. I’ve upped my Valtrex dosage and also taking L-Lysine so I can’t imagine it to be another outbreak. It also has disappeared/healed a lot quicker than other times I’ve had sores.
It’s only activated after I see my partner who has a thick coarse beard. I’m thinking it’s either I’m having a reaction to his beard because of something he’s using or something I’ve used/I’m eating. I’ve upped my Valtrex dosage and also taking L-Lysine so I can’t imagine it to be another outbreak. It also has disappeared/healed a lot quicker than other times I’ve had sores.
Ohhh that's interesting. Maybe it's just beard burn?
I’m not sure it looks like a sore.
I spoke to my partner and he got his results back, he’s negative for both HSVs. Now we are discussing what this would look like for our relationship and whether he wants to continue risking this. I’m really bummed and scared that I can pass it on to him in the long term.
I spoke to my partner and he got his results back, he’s negative for both HSVs. Now we are discussing what this would look like for our relationship and whether he wants to continue risking this. I’m really bummed and scared that I can pass it on to him in the long term.
Remember that his test might not be accurate - it misses a full 30% of infections. How old is he?
67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1. Over 50, it just goes up. If he wants to limit his dating pool that much, that's on him, but that seems foolish. His parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, previous partners - a good number of people he's kissed prior to you have this.
You still need to find out what's causing your sores. It doesn't sound like hsv1.
I'm sorry this is all happening to you. Please don't let fear ruin this if this is otherwise a good relationship for you. If he's scared and running, well, he scares easily. If you are, remember that it will be much easier for you to find someone else with it or who won't care than it will be for him to find someone who doesn't have it.
67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1. Over 50, it just goes up. If he wants to limit his dating pool that much, that's on him, but that seems foolish. His parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, previous partners - a good number of people he's kissed prior to you have this.
You still need to find out what's causing your sores. It doesn't sound like hsv1.
I'm sorry this is all happening to you. Please don't let fear ruin this if this is otherwise a good relationship for you. If he's scared and running, well, he scares easily. If you are, remember that it will be much easier for you to find someone else with it or who won't care than it will be for him to find someone who doesn't have it.
He’s 34, almost 35. I’m sure he’s been exposed to it but has never been asked by a partner to get tested.
So I’m also thinking it could be a beard burn? I looked up what they look like and it’s very similar to what I have.
I have disclosed to other partners and they never seemed to mind.
So I’m also thinking it could be a beard burn? I looked up what they look like and it’s very similar to what I have.
I have disclosed to other partners and they never seemed to mind.
Does he use beard oil or anything? Can he soften his beard?
If he's in his mid 30s, for sure he's been exposed to it. FOR SURE. I hope he's okay with it. As we all know, finding a decent relationship in our 30s is harder than finding someone with hsv1.
If he's in his mid 30s, for sure he's been exposed to it. FOR SURE. I hope he's okay with it. As we all know, finding a decent relationship in our 30s is harder than finding someone with hsv1.
He does use beard oil and cleans it very well. But it’s also very very thick and coarse hair.
I would think so as well, perhaps just never been asked to be tested.
So far he seems understanding of it. I’ve told him to speak to his doctor about it and have them answer his questions.
I would think so as well, perhaps just never been asked to be tested.
So far he seems understanding of it. I’ve told him to speak to his doctor about it and have them answer his questions.
Well, I hope you all get it sorted, and can figure things out so this can work. I'm here if he has questions. :)
Hi! Thank you so much!
I woke up today with yet another sore. But it’s a LOT smaller and just one bump. I can’t make out if it’s a cold sore or something else.
I am freaking out because I saw my partner yesterday and kissed him. I can’t even believe that it’s another sore back to back like this. This would be sore #4 in a month span.
I woke up today with yet another sore. But it’s a LOT smaller and just one bump. I can’t make out if it’s a cold sore or something else.
I am freaking out because I saw my partner yesterday and kissed him. I can’t even believe that it’s another sore back to back like this. This would be sore #4 in a month span.
Can you go to the doctor today and get it cultured? An urgent care could even do it.
If you saw him yesterday and kissed, was it enough to be beard burn?
If you saw him yesterday and kissed, was it enough to be beard burn?
I had a very tiny bump on my lip last night. I didn’t think anything of it and I woke up today and it’s still there. So now I’m worried that it’s another sore. I don’t think it’s beard burn since we didn’t kiss that much.
I was feeling under the weather yesterday so I upped my vitamin intake and my L-Lysine intake.
I’m going to go get it checked today. I can’t live like this and I’m terrified I might’ve passed it on to him.
I was feeling under the weather yesterday so I upped my vitamin intake and my L-Lysine intake.
I’m going to go get it checked today. I can’t live like this and I’m terrified I might’ve passed it on to him.
I'm sorry it's so much. Let me know what happens.
I definitely will. Thank you so much for your support! I appreciate you answering questions.
I also wanted to ask, if I’ve had most of my sores on the left hand side of my lips is it possible to also have them pop up on the right?
I also wanted to ask, if I’ve had most of my sores on the left hand side of my lips is it possible to also have them pop up on the right?
Yes, it's possible. A lot of people tend to get sores in the same spot or on the same side over and over, but a lot of others get them on either side, and where they appear is seemingly random.
And you're welcome. I hope I'm helping. :)
And you're welcome. I hope I'm helping. :)
Thank you. Is it possible to re-infect myself if I used the same lip balm or toothbrush as I did when I had a sore?
No, you have antibodies that prevent you from getting it again, and herpes doesn't live long enough on surfaces to infect you like that.
Thank you! Ok so that rules that possibility out.
I went to Urgent Care to get it swabbed. It’ll take at least 5-7 days to get back to results.
The doctor said he doesn’t think it’s cold sores because it didn’t look like it. However, when he pressed on it to swab the culture, I told him it hurt when he pressed hard on it and he said it could be a sore then. Who even knows.
It’s such a small dot on my lip it’s hard to gauge.
My biggest concern is that I kissed my partner yesterday with a potential new sore.
I went to Urgent Care to get it swabbed. It’ll take at least 5-7 days to get back to results.
The doctor said he doesn’t think it’s cold sores because it didn’t look like it. However, when he pressed on it to swab the culture, I told him it hurt when he pressed hard on it and he said it could be a sore then. Who even knows.
It’s such a small dot on my lip it’s hard to gauge.
My biggest concern is that I kissed my partner yesterday with a potential new sore.
Does your partner know the frequency of which you've been getting sores? He has to know there's a risk. That's his choice to make.
I fell asleep with a ThermaCare patch on the other day (don't do that). It was on my lower abdomen for a UTI, and now I have a blister and a smaller burn spot. They aren't herpes, but they hurt when you press on them or when my underwear rubs on the area.
My point is that not everything that hurts is herpes. Just keep that in mind. Go do something fun this weekend. Take your mind off it. :)
I fell asleep with a ThermaCare patch on the other day (don't do that). It was on my lower abdomen for a UTI, and now I have a blister and a smaller burn spot. They aren't herpes, but they hurt when you press on them or when my underwear rubs on the area.
My point is that not everything that hurts is herpes. Just keep that in mind. Go do something fun this weekend. Take your mind off it. :)
I told him I’ve gotten them recently but I didn’t say how frequently it’s been happening lately. I’ll definitely have a conversation with him.
I’ve done that before and it’s super painful! Hope it gets better.
Thank you so much for calming my nerves. I’m sure that isn’t helping whatever is going on in my body.
I’ve done that before and it’s super painful! Hope it gets better.
Thank you so much for calming my nerves. I’m sure that isn’t helping whatever is going on in my body.
You're welcome, and have a great weekend!
Hi!! I wanted to thank you again for your time and energy in responding to my posts.
I received the results from my culture of the last sore — it came back negative.
I went through the ingredients in the lip balm I use and realized that it has Lanlolin which I have an allergy to it. I never bothered to check because the company is supposedly vegan but they , they use a Lanlolin oil. I think the beard burn + the excessive use of the balm aggravated my lips and caused bumps and sores.
I haven’t had another sore since and I’m so happy about that.
I received the results from my culture of the last sore — it came back negative.
I went through the ingredients in the lip balm I use and realized that it has Lanlolin which I have an allergy to it. I never bothered to check because the company is supposedly vegan but they , they use a Lanlolin oil. I think the beard burn + the excessive use of the balm aggravated my lips and caused bumps and sores.
I haven’t had another sore since and I’m so happy about that.
Ohhh interesting, and what a relief. I'm so glad you figured it out.
Thanks for letting me know, and I'm wishing you the best! :)
Thanks for letting me know, and I'm wishing you the best! :)
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
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STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
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