Possible self-infection oral to genital HSV1?

[anxious15]

I was wondering the chances of possible self infection and symptoms of giving myself gHSV1. I'm a 21 yr old F, good physical condition.

I had an initial outbreak of oral HSV1 (it was awful, flu like symptoms, a bunch of intraoral sores) four months ago and started valacyclovir two days after I first got the sores. About two weeks after my inital outbreak, I had a sexual encounter and I used my saliva as lube because I didn't realize at the time that you could spread it from oral to vaginal and my sores were healed up, from what I remember.

Since then I've never had any vaginal blisters. Three times I went to see the GYN about bumps, but they all turned out to be ingrown hairs (I had them all swabbed just in case and they came back negative). I'm still paranoid, however, that I have asymptomatic gHSV1, which I think is mostly the result of too much internet research. Twice since the sexual encounter I had really bad itchiness in my vagina for a few hours, but no blisters/sores/etc. A few times too I've had achy muscles and tingling on one side of my lower back and hip/groin area, but I suspect that might be from a pinched nerve. I can't remember now if I had the tingling before on just one side but I tend to get it more when I've been sitting for long periods of time.

I would also like to add I have had two minor OBs in my mouth since the first time, once when i was sick and once when I was stressed.

I've read so many times about people not recognizing the symptoms of herpes and I'm terrified I have gHSV1 and that I'm going to transmit it to someone. I got an IUD about six weeks ago and was looking forward to having unprotected sex with my partner (long distance so I haven't seen him yet) but now I'm nervous I'll give him herpes through genital to genital contact. I don't engage in oral sex so I'm not concerned about giving him gHSV1 through oral-genital contact. I did talk to one of my doctors and he said the chances of me auto-inoculating myself were slim, especially since it was oral HSV1 and prefers to live in the mouth. My current partner isn't the one who gave my HSV1, I contracted it on a "break" and I believe the last time my current partner got tested he was negative for HSV.


I feel like I'm being overly paranoid about the situation. I'm an incredibly paranoid person and tend to overthink things. Multiple times I've had hysterical sobbing because I believe I gave myself gHSV1. I've gotten to the point any itch or mild discomfort down there makes me immediately think I'm getting a gHSV outbreak. I also understand a blood test wouldn't be helpful since I would come back HSV1+ because of my oral infection.

Is there a good chance I have gHSV1 and am asymptomatic? Am I just being paranoid? And, if I did have gHSV1, would I ever be able to have unprotected sex with my partner? What would be the risk I transmit it to him?

[auntiejessi]

You are being overly paranoid. :)

While in theory, it is possible to transmit it yourself, it's not all that likely to happen. Your doctor is right (and doctors who know about herpes are rare, so keep him). After you develop antibodies - this can take up to 4 months, but usually happens faster - you won't be able to do this except in extreme circumstances. Just don't touch outbreaks and then immediately touch your vaginal area.

IF by chance you did get ghsv1, it rarely sheds, most people don't get a lot of outbreaks, and in the absence of having sexual activity with symptoms, they rarely transmit it. Many people with ghsv1 don't take suppressive therapy because the chances of transmitting are so low and the frequency of outbreaks is so low (some only get one ob and then never get another).

If you need extra lubrication during masturbation or sex, get some good lube. If you use condoms, make sure it's water based. For masturbation, you can play around with different types - silicone, water-based, etc. Some women get yeast infections from lubes with sugar, so pay attention to that. (I mean, not for nothing, but this is also fun, and after all this, sexy fun is a good thing, right?) Here's a good article on it, but omg it is so not safe for work, reading when you are near other people (like your mom or kids), etc - https://www.buzzfeed.com/carolinekee/slip-n-slide-into-the-bedroom?utm_term=.ir59eGGB3#.cn0nOYY7x

Remember that you are not a walking infection or contagion. You have something that at least half of the population does. Don't buy into the stigma of it all. You are better than that. :)

[anxious15]

Thank you! I don't worry about the oral HSV1, it's super common and since I don't engage/receive oral sex by choice, it's pretty much a non-issue - I just avoid kissing my partner during outbreaks since he's negative for both HSV1 and 2. I normally use a water based lube but my partner forgot to bring it in the one circumstance - lesson learned though, my paranoia is too great for me to do that again! I know I have a tendency to overthink things all the time, but even though my doctor basically gave me the all clear, I tend to second guess things.  There's so much information on the internet that can be really scary/fear mongering. I appreciate your quick response!