hsv 1 - what is the probability that i've contracted it?

Posted , 3 users are following.

My ex gf gets cold sores since she was 4 years old. One time she performed oral sex on me (for 15 seconds) while she had an outbreak. It was only a tiny ulcer and it was almost healed. This happened 1,5 - 2 months ago and I haven't had any symptoms yet. I reckon I might be asymptomatic, but this is not the problem. The problem is that I don't want to be worried that I might infect someone else. Is there any chance that I haven't contracted it? How long does it take until the first outbreak? 

I've never had cold sores in my life. If I would have had, then I could say for sure that I didn't contract hsv 1 genital.

Also, what are the odds of her infecting me, considering that it's not a new infection? she's been getting cold sores since childhood.

What are the chances of me spreading it, considering that I didn't have any symptoms yet and/or an outbreak.

Throughout our relationship, she had somewhere around 4-5 outbreaks, during which I've kissed her, but have tried my best to avoid touching the infected area. Did I get oral hsv 1? haven't had any symptoms yet and we've been together for 10 months

If you need anymore details, please do not hesitate to ask. I would gladly give you any piece of information that might be useful

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    I was diagnosed with hsv 1 & I didn't even know about cause I have no symptoms. But my husband gets cold sores all the time.

    • Posted

      thx for ur answer. so there's no possible way that i have not contracted it, either orally or genitally, right?

    • Posted

      Well if she had cold sores and you guys kissed or she gave you head then you have a big risk getting hsv 1 either orally or genital. My advice would be to get checked if your worried.

  • Posted

    First outbreaks usually occur within a week. You have been exposed more to it orally than genitally, so I wouldn't worry about the latter, especially if you've yet to have any symptoms. It is also less infectious and problematic to have genitally. The IgG (not IgM) antibody test for herpes can tell you if you carry it (but not where). It is good 3 months past exposure, although the test for HSV1 (if HerpeSelect) sometimes misses 1 in 4 infections.

    • Posted

      thank you for your answer.

      if i don't get cold sores any sooner does it mean that my chances of spreading it are low?

      what's the chance of me spreading it? am i ever going to be able to kiss/have unprotected sex without risking spreading?

    • Posted

      Someone who is asymptomatic can still be infectious, albeit somewhat less so than someone who gets lesions, but you don't even know that you have it, so try not to worry about it!

    • Posted

      so you're telling me that i should not warn my future partners? would they be safe after us having unprotected sex one time? (considering they are 30+ years old and might have already been exposed in the past)

    • Posted

      There is nothing to warn about at this point! You have no symptoms and no proof of infection. Even if you carry HSV1, many people do, most unknowingly, and it's not normally a problem. If you got cold sores, you might want to disclose, however. Genital HSV2 requires definite disclosure, but that's another type of herpes.

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