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Herpes on breast
I had sex with a man who had an active cold sore. I didn't know much about herpes at the time except not to kiss him or let him give me oral. He did suck my breasts however. Two days later I got herpes. I wasn't sure what it was until my doctor looked at it. I was tested for hsv 2. I've been negative each time. Doctor says it's hsv 1. I never had cold sores, so that's most-likely what it is. He said I should not break out much. I've only had the initial OB. My question is how likely can I spread it to someone else? I worry about sharing a towel or bra with my teenage daughter. Sometimes she just takes things without asking. Also, does a man need to be fearful about touching me? I'm feeling pretty lost right now. When I told the man what happened, he never spoke to me again. Do I have this to look forward to every time I'm honest and share this?
Thank you for your help.
Sammy
Thank you for your help.
Sammy
Most people don't get proper std testing done. Always worthwhile to talk in detail ss well as ask for test results.
Keep asking questions!
Keep asking questions!
Thank you very much for your help. This is a safe place that brings people good knowledge and peace of mind. It's a shame there is such a terrible stigma surrounding herpes. Wrong info and fear only cause suffering. The government needs to reach people with the right information. The man I was with believed everyone already had herpes. He told me he had no diseases. We didn't get tested because we trusted each other. I cared so much for him. I didn't care that he had herpes when I found out. Our lack of knowledge put me at risk though. I don't hate that I have herpes. I hate the way he treated me when I told him what happened because of our actions. It's taken me five months to be brave enough to reach out to someone else about it. Thank you, Grace and Fleetwood.
your provider erred with his assumption :( it's unfortunate that proper testing wasn't done at the time.
it doesn't act the same on the breast/nipple area like it does in the mouth and genital area. no obvious lesions present, not a risk to your partner.
most people who contract hsv1 orally, don't get obvious cold sores to know it. no easy way to know if you also have hsv1 orally too which would be the larger risk to a partner though honestly if you are over 40, most folks you are dating already have hsv1. be sure to talk about it and your potential partners seeking out type specific herpes igg blood testing, will give you the knowledge you need to know - their hsv1 and hsv2 status.
it doesn't act the same on the breast/nipple area like it does in the mouth and genital area. no obvious lesions present, not a risk to your partner.
most people who contract hsv1 orally, don't get obvious cold sores to know it. no easy way to know if you also have hsv1 orally too which would be the larger risk to a partner though honestly if you are over 40, most folks you are dating already have hsv1. be sure to talk about it and your potential partners seeking out type specific herpes igg blood testing, will give you the knowledge you need to know - their hsv1 and hsv2 status.
3 Comments
T his is not true! I have active HSV 1 virus on my left breast it is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS especially if there are sores or and will spread to someone else whether you have sore or not through A symptanmatic shedding
and skin on skin contact or even breath droplets I have done extensive research
I think you've misinterpreted some of the research you've done.
The only time you are infectious from your breast is if you have sores present. You can even breastfeed from the affected breast so long as there are no lesions present - https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/herpes.html
Shedding only occurs from mucous membranes. The breast is not a mucous membrane. Your mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals are.
If you have hsv1 orally, which is the most common location, then yes, you can transmit it without a sore being present due to asymptomatic viral shedding. Genital hsv2 also sheds a lot, and is often transmitted when no sores are present. Genital hsv1 doesn't shed nearly as often as ghs2, and is not nearly as infectious as oral hsv1 or ghsv2.
If you have a sore present on your breast, then yes, direct skin on skin contact can transmit herpes from your breast, but you only need to worry about contact with someone's mouth or genitals - the mucous membranes. Someone else's skin on their chest is too thick for the virus to penetrate.
Herpes isn't spread by breath droplets. (I'm not sure what "breath droplets" are - saliva?) Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact.
The only time you are infectious from your breast is if you have sores present. You can even breastfeed from the affected breast so long as there are no lesions present - https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/herpes.html
Shedding only occurs from mucous membranes. The breast is not a mucous membrane. Your mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals are.
If you have hsv1 orally, which is the most common location, then yes, you can transmit it without a sore being present due to asymptomatic viral shedding. Genital hsv2 also sheds a lot, and is often transmitted when no sores are present. Genital hsv1 doesn't shed nearly as often as ghs2, and is not nearly as infectious as oral hsv1 or ghsv2.
If you have a sore present on your breast, then yes, direct skin on skin contact can transmit herpes from your breast, but you only need to worry about contact with someone's mouth or genitals - the mucous membranes. Someone else's skin on their chest is too thick for the virus to penetrate.
Herpes isn't spread by breath droplets. (I'm not sure what "breath droplets" are - saliva?) Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact.
The index number was for hsv 2. As soon as the doctor saw me, he said it looked like herpes. He was my gynocologist. He didn't test me for hsv 1 because the man I was seeing had a cold sore. He said we can assume it's hsv 1 since it happened so quickly after the exposure. I just always thought herpes was only a risk to the mouth and vagina. Now I know so much about it. I'm not at risk for breastfeeding. I'm past the age for having a baby now. I have a few more questions though. I understand the virus sheds. I imagine that means it will shed on my breasts as well. Won't that put someone at risk if we are being intimate? I realize many people already have the virus in their mouths. Does that mean they can't get it if they already have it? Can I spread it around my body when it sheds or if there's an active lesion for example while showering? Lastly, if I have it on my breast, can I get it from someone in another place via my mouth or vagina? I have another appointment with the doctor soon. I will get the hsv 1 blood test to confirm as I never had either before.
it's unfortunate that a lesion culture wasn't done. should you get a return of symptoms, make sure you are seen within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms for one to be done to confirm hsv1 on the breasts.
when you say your index value was .03 - for what? hsv1 or hsv2?
so what does hsv1 on the breasts mean? well not much actually. unless you have an active lesion present, it's not a risk to others. in the future, if you breast feed, make sure you discuss the situation with your pediatrician too. you might want to consider suppressive therapy when breast feeding at least initially due to the 'trauma' to the breasts that occurs.
grace
when you say your index value was .03 - for what? hsv1 or hsv2?
so what does hsv1 on the breasts mean? well not much actually. unless you have an active lesion present, it's not a risk to others. in the future, if you breast feed, make sure you discuss the situation with your pediatrician too. you might want to consider suppressive therapy when breast feeding at least initially due to the 'trauma' to the breasts that occurs.
grace
Where was the breakout on your body? The 4 month test rules out HSV2. Did you have a HSV1 test?
The doctor made a visual diagnosis and ordered a blood test. This was only three weeks after the OB. I had another test recently which has been four months.
Sorry I meant how was the diagnosis of herpes made, by swab or blood test. How long after the outbreak were the blood tests?
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
