HSV-1 in genital area. What do I do?
Posted , 3 users are following.
so in a long term relationship along the years I had a cold sore/fever blister. Never thought much of it just didn't kiss boyfriend and took abreva and it went away. Well recently I had developed vaginal lesions/sores a few days after we slept with each other and decided to go to doctor since it bothersome. My doctor took a culture of it and the test came back positive for hsv1 the same as cold sores. Now my dr said that I had the virus most likely in my body so long that my boyfriend and I probably just passed it back and forth. So I'm wondering though do I need to tell partner of this though? I've read once you have cold sore orally you shouldn't get it genitals but I did....this has been messing with my head lately just completely unsure what to do. It's a cold sore right? I mean once we get chicken pox we have the shingles virus pretty much...it's the same right ? I honestly just need help.
0 likes, 9 replies
FelizCastus t2345
Posted
You're supposed to be immune to getting it elsewhere once you have established infection at one site, so either: (1) you are an exception; or (2) you acquired the infection in both places at or around the same time, but it never turned up until now. The only other possibility is that it's HSV2, but the test definitely confirmed HSV1, right? If your bf already knows about your cold sores, it really makes no difference telling him about this, as it's the same exact virus. Up to you either way.
t2345 FelizCastus
Posted
I thought that I was supposed to be immune because I remember having a fever blister years ago very clearly. The doctor didn't say anything about it though when I told her. The test definitely confirmed hsv-1. I was just confused considering it was in the genital region and with the herpes name I wasn't sure what to do. It just felt confusing really.
FelizCastus t2345
Posted
It is rather odd that you have it genitally as well, yet only observed it there recently. I guess you must have acquired it in both places on or around the same time before you developed immunity, and it just didn't appear down below until now. Unless your cold sores aren't cold sores. Was your first suspected cold sore from when you were in the same relationship as now? If so, your bf could potentially be the source. Just another random thought. Many people don't have symptoms.
t2345 FelizCastus
Posted
Yes I was in the same relationship. But she cultured the sore and tested it for both hsv1&2 and it only came back 1. I was always told when I got it that it was just a fever blister and took abreva and no one ever said to get tested for the sti. I'm not sure what else it could be. I'm tested regularly for stds.
FelizCastus t2345
Posted
People typically don't worry about HSV1 because it's so common. Some two-thirds of the world's population carries it, so they wouldn't have ordered a test for a cold sore. If your doctor visually diagnosed it as one, it probably was.
I suspect your bf is a 'silent' carrier and that you got it from him in both places at or around the same time, like I said, but it only showed up orally at first for whatever reason. If he has it already, you can't pass it on to him at least.
YoureNotAlone t2345
Posted
From my understanding you can't get HSV2 if you are already infected with HSV1. In some parts of the world, genital infection with HSV-1 is as common as HSV 2 genital infection. But, if you already have one type of HSV, it is harder to get the other type. That’s because the virus causes the body to produce antibodies that provide some crossover protection against the other type should it entering the body. The only other thing i could think is that it may be another type of STI or STD.
FelizCastus YoureNotAlone
Posted
No offense, but your understanding is wrong. HSV2 tends to 'protect' against HSV1, but HSV1 does not protect against HSV2, certainly not in any meaningful or significant way. Having one type in one location should protect against acquiring the same type elsewhere.
t2345 FelizCastus
Posted
Thanks. You have been extremely helpful in this time of confusion for me. I'm sad I most likely have type 1 orally and genitally which is strange but my doctor didn't seem to flinch when I spoke to them about that so I guess it does happen to some. I'm in the process trying to contact my last doctor to see if I was ever tested for it though as well via blood even though it's not as accurate and I know for sure I have it. I'm curious though now.
FelizCastus t2345
Posted
Always happy to help! Yes, having the same type in both locations can certainly happen, even with HSV2. But where that does occur with HSV2, both are believed to have been acquired at or around the same time, hence why I suggested the same reasoning regarding your situation with HSV1. Hopefully your genital infection will be very infrequent, preferably limited to the one random outbreak! For most people it's a yearly event, if that. (HSV2 is another story.)