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Genital HSV-1 questions
1.) Is it possible to develop a primary genital hsv-1 infection 5-6 weeks after exposure? I've heard of studies (don't know if they're reliable) saying it's taken some people 40+ days. I'm asking because I believe my primary infection developed around 35 days after exposure.
2.) Does anyone know how quickly the body absorbs hsv? If it comes into contact with mucous membranes or broken skin, is it immediately absorbed?
3.) Is it possible, if you are hsv negative, to kiss someone with oral hsv-1 (with no visible sore), and then touch your lips and and then genital area and acquire a genital infection? This really isn't possible, correct? I hope not, because to be honest I'm obsessing over how I acquired my infection because it certainly must be in an uncommon way (not from oral sex and symptoms developed very late after assumed exposure).
2.) Does anyone know how quickly the body absorbs hsv? If it comes into contact with mucous membranes or broken skin, is it immediately absorbed?
3.) Is it possible, if you are hsv negative, to kiss someone with oral hsv-1 (with no visible sore), and then touch your lips and and then genital area and acquire a genital infection? This really isn't possible, correct? I hope not, because to be honest I'm obsessing over how I acquired my infection because it certainly must be in an uncommon way (not from oral sex and symptoms developed very late after assumed exposure).
I know cultures are extremely accuracte--is the 'typing' part usually very accurate as well?
Is it correct that recurrences tend to be one blister/lesion or if it's more then they will stay on one side of the body?
lesions have their "usual" places they like to reoccur in most folks notice over time.
recurrences tend to be much different from the initial ob. still annoying but more bearable.
sometimes it's hard to tell what is herpes and what isn't. erring on the side of caution and avoiding sex until they are healed is usually the best course of action. hsv1 sheds less often than hsv2 does and if your partner is hsv1+ then certainly less worry at least.
grace
recurrences tend to be much different from the initial ob. still annoying but more bearable.
sometimes it's hard to tell what is herpes and what isn't. erring on the side of caution and avoiding sex until they are healed is usually the best course of action. hsv1 sheds less often than hsv2 does and if your partner is hsv1+ then certainly less worry at least.
grace
I had another question about identifying recurrent outbreaks.
I know you've said the virus effects the entire area so they could pop up anywere, but do they typically tend to recur in the same spot? Also, I know some people don't have the typical herpes lesions but can I expect them to be very similar to my first ones except maybe less severe--for example is it unlikely to get typical lesions then develop atypical ones?
I'm asking because I developed a red bump on my buttocks-it doesn't hurt, the skin isn't inflammed, it doesn't itch & it's dry--nothing like my original symptoms and I've gotten bumps before from irritation. It's only been 4 weeks since my last outbreak (HSV-1). However, I'm just worried about infecting my partner. I know I could err on the side of caution but I don't want to freak out & assume I'm having a recurrence everytime I get a bump just from skin irritation or shaving--which is not uncommon for me. Should I just be on the lookout for symptoms similar to my primary outbreak?
I know you've said the virus effects the entire area so they could pop up anywere, but do they typically tend to recur in the same spot? Also, I know some people don't have the typical herpes lesions but can I expect them to be very similar to my first ones except maybe less severe--for example is it unlikely to get typical lesions then develop atypical ones?
I'm asking because I developed a red bump on my buttocks-it doesn't hurt, the skin isn't inflammed, it doesn't itch & it's dry--nothing like my original symptoms and I've gotten bumps before from irritation. It's only been 4 weeks since my last outbreak (HSV-1). However, I'm just worried about infecting my partner. I know I could err on the side of caution but I don't want to freak out & assume I'm having a recurrence everytime I get a bump just from skin irritation or shaving--which is not uncommon for me. Should I just be on the lookout for symptoms similar to my primary outbreak?
strep b is very common in the urogenital tract and yes typically we don't test for it/treat for it unless you are pregnant however if you are symptomatic, you should be treated.
yes it is typical to have anal symptoms even if you've never had anal sex. The virus infects the nerves that supply the entire anogenital area so you can get symptoms at areas where you've never had sexual contact.
grace
yes it is typical to have anal symptoms even if you've never had anal sex. The virus infects the nerves that supply the entire anogenital area so you can get symptoms at areas where you've never had sexual contact.
grace
I think my doctor said it's not dangerous for otherwise healthy adults unless I'm becoming pregnant. My body typically doesn't react well to antibiotics.
On another note, when I had my primary outbreak (no recurrences since) I got a small bump near my anal opening, as well. This was far away from my other bumps & looked very different but felt the same (mine were painless but very itchy). I assumed this was related because it popped up the same time as the rest, but is it normal to have an outbreak around the anus even though I have never had any contact/exposure there?
On another note, when I had my primary outbreak (no recurrences since) I got a small bump near my anal opening, as well. This was far away from my other bumps & looked very different but felt the same (mine were painless but very itchy). I assumed this was related because it popped up the same time as the rest, but is it normal to have an outbreak around the anus even though I have never had any contact/exposure there?
it's not unusual for it to be difficult to break the vaginitis cycle. I recommend not self treating but being seen and getting properly tested for vaginitis just to err on the side of caution.
they should've treated you if you were symptomatic and had strep B.
grace
they should've treated you if you were symptomatic and had strep B.
grace
Oh, and they also found bacteria at the time of my symptoms-strep? I don't remember, but I wasn't treated for it.
I was screened for everything. I did end up developing a yeast infection (but I was on antibiotics for something unrelated when my symptoms popped up & that always gives me one) that was treated. However, I think I'm having symptoms of another one. Does hsv make a woman more prone to these types of infections? Because I'm already prone to them =/.
it's incredibly unlikely using your saliva as lube to finger someone is going to result in infection.
yes,if your partner is hsv1+ also, just avoid sex when you have genital symptoms to err on the side of caution. Your partner has significant protection against contracting hsv1 genitally but not 100%.
did you also get tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally when you were originally seen?
grace
yes,if your partner is hsv1+ also, just avoid sex when you have genital symptoms to err on the side of caution. Your partner has significant protection against contracting hsv1 genitally but not 100%.
did you also get tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally when you were originally seen?
grace
Thank you for your response. I'm almost positive it was a primary infection because of classic symptoms with multiple lesions, very limited prior exposure, & a positive culture was obtained late in infection when blisters were gone & already scabbed, and my doctors agreed. Thanks for clarifying that the 3 weeks is an average because some doctors post here saying it never happens after 3 weeks-but mine was over 5.
If someone does not have obvious cold sores but are asymptomatically shedding orally, could they pass the virus with their finger through saliva? I know this has probably been answered several times, but I feel like the opinions are differing =/. Forum says no, my doctor said yes. I know I shouldn't try to figure it out, but I'm curious.
You're right, I guess it doesn't matter where I got it but it's hard not to be caught up on it. If my partner is hsv-1 positive we don't need to take precautions other than avoiding contact if I have a recurrence, correct? (Assuming he tests negative for all other stds, of course--I know there are much worse conditions than hsv-1!)
Thank you so much for your time, it's hard to find a lot of information about genital hsv-1 even though it seems to be becoming more and more common.
If someone does not have obvious cold sores but are asymptomatically shedding orally, could they pass the virus with their finger through saliva? I know this has probably been answered several times, but I feel like the opinions are differing =/. Forum says no, my doctor said yes. I know I shouldn't try to figure it out, but I'm curious.
You're right, I guess it doesn't matter where I got it but it's hard not to be caught up on it. If my partner is hsv-1 positive we don't need to take precautions other than avoiding contact if I have a recurrence, correct? (Assuming he tests negative for all other stds, of course--I know there are much worse conditions than hsv-1!)
Thank you so much for your time, it's hard to find a lot of information about genital hsv-1 even though it seems to be becoming more and more common.
you had a + lesion culture for hsv1. You know you have it and you know where you have it. When you got and it from whom is the part you might never figure out. Could you have contracted it from genital sex from your prior partner 5 weeks before symptoms? yes you could've. some folks will fall outside of that 3 week mark - it's just an average. Could this be your first obvious recurrence of a prior infection that wasn't reflected on the blood tests because even the best ones still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections? yes it could be.
At this point, knowing your partner's status is the best way to decide together what precautions to take from this point forward.
you won't give yourself hsv1 genitally from the scenario you described either.
grace
At this point, knowing your partner's status is the best way to decide together what precautions to take from this point forward.
you won't give yourself hsv1 genitally from the scenario you described either.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
