Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can HSV-1 Or 2 Contracted Through Skin-to-skin Contact?
Question: Hi Doctor. This question is related to my previous one a week or two ago. I was exposed to HSV1 and 2 in August and have been asymptomatic so far. I'm hoping that's a good sign for the long term. My question is does this make me any less likely to pass the virus on to a partner through 'shedding' (how I hate that term) or through a sexual encounter? If I did pass the virus along would the other person be asymptomatic also like me or doesn't it matter that I am. I am trying to prepare myself for discussion with potential partners and can't find answers to these specific questions on the Internet. Thank you. XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
A few questions for you, and a few facts
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I have a few questions and points that I would like to discuss with your sir:
+From your query, you mentioned being exposed to both HSV-1 and HSV-2, but since then have you been tested for the infections? And if you have been, when did you return a positive result?
+Since being exposed, have you presented with any symptoms of HSV-1 or HSV-2? If so, what were they?
+Now let us discuss the process of transmission of the virus (if at all you have it) to your partner sexually (genital to genital or genital to oral) or orally (oral to oral); this is considered to be a risk only when you have active lesions (are symptomatic) or are asymptomatic but return a positive result to laboratory tests for HSV 1 or 2. So unless either of these are present, you need not worry about transmission
+If at all you do have the virus, and you do pass on the virus to someone else due to contact with active lesions then that individual can be asymptomatic for a while and be symptomatic when the factors cause her to be symptomatic.
+Usually factors like infections, climate (usually cold), drugs causing lowered immunity, weakness, stress, etc; are common factors causing lesions (symptoms of the infection to appear)
I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you to your hearts content. I also hope my information has helped clear a few doubts in your mind. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, I would be happy to help.
Best wishes.
A few questions for you, and a few facts
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I have a few questions and points that I would like to discuss with your sir:
+From your query, you mentioned being exposed to both HSV-1 and HSV-2, but since then have you been tested for the infections? And if you have been, when did you return a positive result?
+Since being exposed, have you presented with any symptoms of HSV-1 or HSV-2? If so, what were they?
+Now let us discuss the process of transmission of the virus (if at all you have it) to your partner sexually (genital to genital or genital to oral) or orally (oral to oral); this is considered to be a risk only when you have active lesions (are symptomatic) or are asymptomatic but return a positive result to laboratory tests for HSV 1 or 2. So unless either of these are present, you need not worry about transmission
+If at all you do have the virus, and you do pass on the virus to someone else due to contact with active lesions then that individual can be asymptomatic for a while and be symptomatic when the factors cause her to be symptomatic.
+Usually factors like infections, climate (usually cold), drugs causing lowered immunity, weakness, stress, etc; are common factors causing lesions (symptoms of the infection to appear)
I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you to your hearts content. I also hope my information has helped clear a few doubts in your mind. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, I would be happy to help.
Best wishes.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
