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Oral hvs2 how many Ob?
I need information on oral hvs2. I'm positive I gave this to my husband and I'm devastated.
What are the statistics regarding OB? PLease help.
What are the statistics regarding OB? PLease help.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What makes you think you gave this to him?
Oral hsv2 is rare. When it does happen, it rarely sheds, and rarely recurs.
Shedding rates: (and you can find all this in the herpes handbook - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/)
HSV 2 genital 15-30% of days evaluated
HSV 1 genital 3-5% of days evaluated
HSV 1 oral 25% of days evaluated
HSV 2 oral 1% of days evaluated
http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/herpes/oral-herpes/
My question for you would be - if he did get it, kind of so what? You're married, you have hsv2, and now he does too, only orally. It rarely sheds, rarely recurs. Would it be any different if he got hsv1 from you? If he has any symptoms, he should avoid kissing people, but that's the same for hsv1 or hsv2.
You can't give each other what you already have, so now transmission wouldn't be an issue.
I'm assuming he knew you have hsv2, and he made an informed decision to be with you, knowing the risks. (If he didn't know, that's a totally different story with different implications for your marriage.)
But how do you know this is from hsv2, and not an hsv1 cold sore?
Oral hsv2 is rare. When it does happen, it rarely sheds, and rarely recurs.
Shedding rates: (and you can find all this in the herpes handbook - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/)
HSV 2 genital 15-30% of days evaluated
HSV 1 genital 3-5% of days evaluated
HSV 1 oral 25% of days evaluated
HSV 2 oral 1% of days evaluated
http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/herpes/oral-herpes/
My question for you would be - if he did get it, kind of so what? You're married, you have hsv2, and now he does too, only orally. It rarely sheds, rarely recurs. Would it be any different if he got hsv1 from you? If he has any symptoms, he should avoid kissing people, but that's the same for hsv1 or hsv2.
You can't give each other what you already have, so now transmission wouldn't be an issue.
I'm assuming he knew you have hsv2, and he made an informed decision to be with you, knowing the risks. (If he didn't know, that's a totally different story with different implications for your marriage.)
But how do you know this is from hsv2, and not an hsv1 cold sore?
16 Comments
He had touched my vaginal area one night and did not wash his hands. And then I watched him touched his face and three months later he broke out with a rash in the corner of his mouth. This rash lasted for at least two months. My husband has never had anything like this on his face before. And yes he knew I had hvs2. I don't know why I did not make him wash his hands at night and now I just feel the guilt.
He says he doesn't care and he understands but it's me that's having the problem. Yes I know it's only a cold sore and that's what I keep telling myself but you know how it is and the guilt you feel.
He has not been tested yet...but we will eventually..
He says he doesn't care and he understands but it's me that's having the problem. Yes I know it's only a cold sore and that's what I keep telling myself but you know how it is and the guilt you feel.
He has not been tested yet...but we will eventually..
I keep hearing how rare the break out are but I was trying to find out if anyone with this can confirm the OB are much less.
A herpes outbreak wouldn't last for 2 months. An oral hsv2 outbreak would look a lot like an oral hsv1 outbreak, or your genital hsv2 outbreak - he'd get some blisters, it would heal in a week or so.
There are other things that can cause his symptoms - there's something called cheilitis, which is inflammation of the lips, and angular cheilitis is inflammation in the corners of the mouth. https://www.healthline.com/health/angular-cheilitis
It could also be an allergic reaction to something he's eating, drinking, toothpaste, lip balm, etc.
I'd also question the timing of his symptoms. If he doesn't have hsv2, and got infected, his symptoms would most likely appear within 2-20 days, not 3 months later. Obviously that's not true for everyone, but the timing of all of it - when he got symptoms, how long they lasted - doesn't point to herpes.
Hands aren't that effective in transmitting herpes. Herpes requires direct skin-to-skin contact, and usually some friction, like genital to genital contact - rubbing, grinding, intercourse. If an outbreak is present (when there is more virus on the skin), it might take less, but touching your vaginal area, then touching his mouth isn't at all likely to transmit anything.
You really can relax. If his symptoms come back (it sounds like they're gone), he should get them checked by his doctor. It can be caused by yeast, which he can transmit to you.
There are other things that can cause his symptoms - there's something called cheilitis, which is inflammation of the lips, and angular cheilitis is inflammation in the corners of the mouth. https://www.healthline.com/health/angular-cheilitis
It could also be an allergic reaction to something he's eating, drinking, toothpaste, lip balm, etc.
I'd also question the timing of his symptoms. If he doesn't have hsv2, and got infected, his symptoms would most likely appear within 2-20 days, not 3 months later. Obviously that's not true for everyone, but the timing of all of it - when he got symptoms, how long they lasted - doesn't point to herpes.
Hands aren't that effective in transmitting herpes. Herpes requires direct skin-to-skin contact, and usually some friction, like genital to genital contact - rubbing, grinding, intercourse. If an outbreak is present (when there is more virus on the skin), it might take less, but touching your vaginal area, then touching his mouth isn't at all likely to transmit anything.
You really can relax. If his symptoms come back (it sounds like they're gone), he should get them checked by his doctor. It can be caused by yeast, which he can transmit to you.
I understand what you're saying. But the looks of what he had on his face were tiny blisters which definitely in my opinion resembled herpes. I've looked up all kinds of things like cheitiles...
I also don't know if he was picking at this when it started causing it to last longer than a couple weeks. I have been making him take Valtrex as soon as I could get ahold of it and like you said I guess right now all I can do is wait.
I just know how doctors are and I want them to test it if it comes back and not just tell him that that's what it is. And truly my only concern about this is how often he may have outbreaks.
I also don't know if he was picking at this when it started causing it to last longer than a couple weeks. I have been making him take Valtrex as soon as I could get ahold of it and like you said I guess right now all I can do is wait.
I just know how doctors are and I want them to test it if it comes back and not just tell him that that's what it is. And truly my only concern about this is how often he may have outbreaks.
Absolutely they should test it and not visually diagnose. That's a MUST. This forum is full of people who got visually diagnosed and it was an incorrect diagnosis.
He can always get a type specific IgG blood test, which will tell him if he has type 1 or 2, but it won't tell him (or you) if what he has on his mouth is herpes, or if he has type 2, if it's an oral or genital infection.
In this situation, it's best to wait and see if he gets another outbreak, and get that cultured. If he's taking Valtrex, that probably won't happen. Even if he's not taking it, and it's ohsv2, he likely won't have another outbreak to get cultured.
I know waiting and not knowing is stressful. I am not good at it (patience is a virtue, but not one of mine). Try to hang in there, and really, though it sucks, all you can do it wait and see.
He can always get a type specific IgG blood test, which will tell him if he has type 1 or 2, but it won't tell him (or you) if what he has on his mouth is herpes, or if he has type 2, if it's an oral or genital infection.
In this situation, it's best to wait and see if he gets another outbreak, and get that cultured. If he's taking Valtrex, that probably won't happen. Even if he's not taking it, and it's ohsv2, he likely won't have another outbreak to get cultured.
I know waiting and not knowing is stressful. I am not good at it (patience is a virtue, but not one of mine). Try to hang in there, and really, though it sucks, all you can do it wait and see.
I really appreciate all the advice. I NEVER thought this would happen. I was carless and should have made him wash his hand. I even grabbed his had with mine and tried to rub the finger he touched me with and then grabbed it a second time and did the same thing. It was about 15 min later that I saw him touch his face. If it's not herpes...I don't know. He said today it's been there over a month...I thought it had been longer. I didn't have any valtrex and went to my PCP who really pissed me off. He wouldn't give me anything because I have never been technically diagnosed. I had to order it online and this was about two weeks into the OB. It just now looks like it's clearing up. He won't stop picking off the scabs. I try and tell him to leave it alone. He's done reading on his own about this so... he should know!!
I pray it doesn't come back like some stories I've read. I've seen people say their HVS2 came back often and this worries me.
I pray it doesn't come back like some stories I've read. I've seen people say their HVS2 came back often and this worries me.
So why do you think you have it if you haven't been diagnosed?
Seriously, if he touched his face 15 minutes later, whatever virus he'd have had on his fingers would have already died with air exposure. There's no way he would have gotten infected that way.
If you need to confirm a suspected diagnosis, get a type specific IgG blood test. Your doctor can give you one, or if you're in the US, you can get one from an online site like https://www.stdcheck.com/ (I haven't used them personally, but we've had other members use them.) You'll get lab results which you can show your doc. (They offer different packages - 10 panel, hsv1 and 2, just hsv2, etc. Make sure you pick which one is right for you. If you aren't sure if you have hsv1, I'd suggest getting both hsv1 and 2, but it's expensive, and I know it can be cost-prohibitive. You can have genital hsv1, though.)
Seriously, if he touched his face 15 minutes later, whatever virus he'd have had on his fingers would have already died with air exposure. There's no way he would have gotten infected that way.
If you need to confirm a suspected diagnosis, get a type specific IgG blood test. Your doctor can give you one, or if you're in the US, you can get one from an online site like https://www.stdcheck.com/ (I haven't used them personally, but we've had other members use them.) You'll get lab results which you can show your doc. (They offer different packages - 10 panel, hsv1 and 2, just hsv2, etc. Make sure you pick which one is right for you. If you aren't sure if you have hsv1, I'd suggest getting both hsv1 and 2, but it's expensive, and I know it can be cost-prohibitive. You can have genital hsv1, though.)
I'm positive I have it...no doubt.
I am making him get tested as soon as I can. I go to my gyno in August so I'm going to have a long discussion with her since my PCP doesn't seem equipment to handle this.
I am making him get tested as soon as I can. I go to my gyno in August so I'm going to have a long discussion with her since my PCP doesn't seem equipment to handle this.
Yeah, PCPs can miss the boat on this. (Lots of doctors do, but PCPs really do.)
You might want to read the Herpes Handbook before you go to the gyno, so you are up to date on all the testing stuff in case she wants you to test. (For example, lots of docs like to do an IgM herpes test, even though it's highly unreliable and shouldn't be done on adults.)
You may know you have it - and you might - but before they give meds, doctors like confirmation, so you may have to jump through their hoops, as frustrating as it is. :(
You might want to read the Herpes Handbook before you go to the gyno, so you are up to date on all the testing stuff in case she wants you to test. (For example, lots of docs like to do an IgM herpes test, even though it's highly unreliable and shouldn't be done on adults.)
You may know you have it - and you might - but before they give meds, doctors like confirmation, so you may have to jump through their hoops, as frustrating as it is. :(
I just watched some info on this today..said IGM test was not necessary and should do the DNA..would you agree?
The IgM test is completely unreliable, and should never be done on adults. That's a blood test. The blood test that's reliable is the IgG test, but it can take up to 4 months to show positive since it looks for antibodies.
The DNA test is usually done as PCR swab test on the skin or a sore. It's highly sensitive, but if there is no sore, and the skin isn't shedding, it can come back as a false negative. You can get the PCR swab done if you are having outbreaks. You haven't explained why you are sure you have it, but I'm assuming it's because you are having outbreaks. If your husband gets his lip symptoms again, he can have that done, too.
There is a herpes DNA blood test, or it can be done on other fluids, but those aren't done as commonly - usually only when they are trying to determine rare instances of herpes causing swelling of the brain, or similar things.
Really, start simply. Get the IgG blood test if you don't have symptoms, or the PCR swab if you do (that's the best way - it tells you what type you have and where).
The DNA test is usually done as PCR swab test on the skin or a sore. It's highly sensitive, but if there is no sore, and the skin isn't shedding, it can come back as a false negative. You can get the PCR swab done if you are having outbreaks. You haven't explained why you are sure you have it, but I'm assuming it's because you are having outbreaks. If your husband gets his lip symptoms again, he can have that done, too.
There is a herpes DNA blood test, or it can be done on other fluids, but those aren't done as commonly - usually only when they are trying to determine rare instances of herpes causing swelling of the brain, or similar things.
Really, start simply. Get the IgG blood test if you don't have symptoms, or the PCR swab if you do (that's the best way - it tells you what type you have and where).
So I went and got the IGG test and it came back positive. Howeverdot-dot-dot when speaking to my doctor she told me it was impossible for my husband to have gotten herpes on his mouth. She said the same thing you did as far as the hands are not a mood generally use for transmission and that hvs2 does not like the face. But,..
Okay, so your doctor and I said the same thing.
What's the "but" for? Really, trust the science.
Your husband is fine with whatever happens. He's a grown man making his own decisions about his body - fully his rights. He's decided that you are more important than a tiny herpes risk.
So what's holding you up on this?
You also seem to be really hard on yourself, and have a lot of misinformation about herpes. If you've had it for awhile, that's understandable - we've learned a lot about herpes in even the last 10-20 years. If you relied on your doctor for information, it's even more understandable - loads of docs are woefully uneducated about herpes and rely on desperately outdated info.
You are NOT a walking biohazard. You are not that infectious. You have this tiny virus that really shouldn't be affecting your life this much. :(
What's the "but" for? Really, trust the science.
Your husband is fine with whatever happens. He's a grown man making his own decisions about his body - fully his rights. He's decided that you are more important than a tiny herpes risk.
So what's holding you up on this?
You also seem to be really hard on yourself, and have a lot of misinformation about herpes. If you've had it for awhile, that's understandable - we've learned a lot about herpes in even the last 10-20 years. If you relied on your doctor for information, it's even more understandable - loads of docs are woefully uneducated about herpes and rely on desperately outdated info.
You are NOT a walking biohazard. You are not that infectious. You have this tiny virus that really shouldn't be affecting your life this much. :(
Has anyone given you transmission stats?
Ghsv2 transmission, female to male, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:
Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 4-5%
Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 2-3%
Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 1-2%
If it's this low for actual sex, it can't be that easy to transmit using an unwashed hand touching a lip 15 minutes later.
Ghsv2 transmission, female to male, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:
Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 4-5%
Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 2-3%
Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 1-2%
If it's this low for actual sex, it can't be that easy to transmit using an unwashed hand touching a lip 15 minutes later.
Yes you're right. I actually do feel so much better. Since my husband knows I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. I really do appreciate all your words of encouragement. You're awesome!
I'm happy to hear from you!
I'm glad you're feeling better, and feeling less anxious about all this.
If you ever have questions, we're here. :)
Take care of you.
I'm glad you're feeling better, and feeling less anxious about all this.
If you ever have questions, we're here. :)
Take care of you.
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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.
