Aa
HVS 2 - Oral Transmission Risk
Hello,
I have been dating a woman for the past 2.5 months is who has genital HSV 2 and does not have oral HSV1 or 2. She was diagnosed 3 years ago and consistently takes antiviral meds to control her outbreaks.
Since we are sexually active, we engage in protected intercourse and unprotected oral sex. So my questions are:
1.) I didn’t know if there was any real data out there regarding the risks of transmission of HSV2 from the genitals to the mouth from someone who has not had a flare up (she hasn’t had any outbreaks since we have been sexually active and takes regular antiviral meds).
2.) I have recently noticed some tiny clustered white bumps on my lower lip, slight itching and twicthing around the area, but it has been two days now and they havent changed in size, they look like small white pimples, I havent noticed any redness or pain and as of now they don’t seem to be blistering. I spoke to my girlfriend about it and she could barely make them out but they are present, seems like I have to strech my lip out to get a better look at them. It was she who told me risk of transmission of HSV2 to the mouth is extremely rare.
3.) I did put some abreva on my lip, and that actually seemed to aggrevate my lip more, but also I rubbed my eye shortly after without thinking to wash my hands, and almost immediately my eye became irritated, and itchy and has been for almost 2 days. Was there any risk that if I did contract HSV2 to my lip that I have now passed it to my eye? Should I make an appointment with an eye doctor?
4.) Finally, again if indeed I did contract oral HSV2, is it possible that I have now passed it to her orally?
Thank you
I have been dating a woman for the past 2.5 months is who has genital HSV 2 and does not have oral HSV1 or 2. She was diagnosed 3 years ago and consistently takes antiviral meds to control her outbreaks.
Since we are sexually active, we engage in protected intercourse and unprotected oral sex. So my questions are:
1.) I didn’t know if there was any real data out there regarding the risks of transmission of HSV2 from the genitals to the mouth from someone who has not had a flare up (she hasn’t had any outbreaks since we have been sexually active and takes regular antiviral meds).
2.) I have recently noticed some tiny clustered white bumps on my lower lip, slight itching and twicthing around the area, but it has been two days now and they havent changed in size, they look like small white pimples, I havent noticed any redness or pain and as of now they don’t seem to be blistering. I spoke to my girlfriend about it and she could barely make them out but they are present, seems like I have to strech my lip out to get a better look at them. It was she who told me risk of transmission of HSV2 to the mouth is extremely rare.
3.) I did put some abreva on my lip, and that actually seemed to aggrevate my lip more, but also I rubbed my eye shortly after without thinking to wash my hands, and almost immediately my eye became irritated, and itchy and has been for almost 2 days. Was there any risk that if I did contract HSV2 to my lip that I have now passed it to my eye? Should I make an appointment with an eye doctor?
4.) Finally, again if indeed I did contract oral HSV2, is it possible that I have now passed it to her orally?
Thank you
Thank you Doctor, and I appreciate your praise and professional assesement of my concerns. She is a very wonderful person and at the end of the day, there are many worse things in this world than HSV.
Just a simple follow on questions two and three:
2.) As you indicate my symptoms do not reflect oral HSV2. On a typical case, how long does it normally take for blisters to appear after the initial symtomps of tingling occurs. I have also heard oral HSV2 does not recurr as does oral HSV1?
3.) I will indeed discontinue the use of the abreva. However, do I have to worry about my eye discomfort? Is it possible to spread a possibe oral HSV2 case to my eye or is more likely my eye is irritated from the abreva (I know was quite silly to rub my eye after application)
Thanks again for the help!
Just a simple follow on questions two and three:
2.) As you indicate my symptoms do not reflect oral HSV2. On a typical case, how long does it normally take for blisters to appear after the initial symtomps of tingling occurs. I have also heard oral HSV2 does not recurr as does oral HSV1?
3.) I will indeed discontinue the use of the abreva. However, do I have to worry about my eye discomfort? Is it possible to spread a possibe oral HSV2 case to my eye or is more likely my eye is irritated from the abreva (I know was quite silly to rub my eye after application)
Thanks again for the help!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Congratulations for a common sense approach to herpes prevention in light of your partner's infection -- and for not letting her genital herpes interfere with an apparently rewarding relationship. As long as she continues suppressive anti-herpes treatment and you consistently use condoms for vaginal (or anal) sex, your risk of catching her infection is quite low.
1) HSV-2 oral infections certainly can occur, but they are quite uncommon. The virus doesn't infect oral tissues as easily as genital, and the risk when the infected partner is on suppressive treatment probably is very low.
2) Those symptoms clearly are not herpes. I suspect you're just examining yourself too closely and noticing normal variations in your lips, such as normal mucus secreting glands.
3) Abreva (docanosol) is minimally effective against HSV and certainly will not prevent oral HSV-2; and as already noted, almost certainly you don't have it anyway. And it can be irritating, as you have found. I suggest you stop using it.
4) People are immune (or at least highly resistant) to new HSV infections with the virus type they already have. Even if you were to acquire your partner's HSV-2 infection, you would not be able to re-infect her with the strain she is already carrying, anywhere on her body.
I hope these comments have been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Congratulations for a common sense approach to herpes prevention in light of your partner's infection -- and for not letting her genital herpes interfere with an apparently rewarding relationship. As long as she continues suppressive anti-herpes treatment and you consistently use condoms for vaginal (or anal) sex, your risk of catching her infection is quite low.
1) HSV-2 oral infections certainly can occur, but they are quite uncommon. The virus doesn't infect oral tissues as easily as genital, and the risk when the infected partner is on suppressive treatment probably is very low.
2) Those symptoms clearly are not herpes. I suspect you're just examining yourself too closely and noticing normal variations in your lips, such as normal mucus secreting glands.
3) Abreva (docanosol) is minimally effective against HSV and certainly will not prevent oral HSV-2; and as already noted, almost certainly you don't have it anyway. And it can be irritating, as you have found. I suggest you stop using it.
4) People are immune (or at least highly resistant) to new HSV infections with the virus type they already have. Even if you were to acquire your partner's HSV-2 infection, you would not be able to re-infect her with the strain she is already carrying, anywhere on her body.
I hope these comments have been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
