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How Is Genital Herpes Transmitted?
Question: I have had anxiety about having genital herpes. A year ago, my boyfriend had a cold sore, and we wanted three weeks after his initial outbreak to have oral sex. He did not have a cold sore we he gave me oral sex; however, he had a very very small red blemish (i thought at the time is was a scare, but now i know it is apart of the healing process). This happened a year ago, but before dating him i was diagnosed with HSV 1. This all happened a year ago, and just recently I got took the HSV 1 and 2 iGG test, and it came back positive for HSV 1 and negative for HSV 2 (I knew i already had HSV1). I've recently got married, and fear that I may have an outbreak somewhere down the line. I'm aware that HSV1 can also be contracted on the genitals, and my biggest fear is that i may get it on my genitals. It's been a year since that encounter, but i know that sometimes symptoms can take years to arise. My question is, what are the chances of me all of a sudden having HSV 1 symptoms on my genitals after have been exposed a year ago? I would hate to have an outbreak, because my husband may think i'm cheating.
Brief Answer:
Recurrence will be milder and shorter in duration
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for using HCM.
I went through your query and understood your concerns.
Once a person becomes infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from the skin cells to nerve cells. The virus stays in the nerve cells forever. But it usually just stays there. In this stage, the virus is said to be dormant, or asleep. But it can become active again.
Some things that can trigger (wake up) the virus are:
Stress.
Illness.
Fever.
Sun exposure.
Menstrual periods.
Surgery.
Lean more about herpes simplex:
Recurrence of symptoms are common with in first year of 1st attack of infection. Over time, the outbreaks tend to become less frequent and milder. This is because the body makes antibodies (defenses) to the virus. As you had a year ago, if recurrence happens also most likely to be milder in form and shorter duration.
Hope I answered your question and feel free to ask further related query.
Wish you a good health.
Regards
Recurrence will be milder and shorter in duration
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for using HCM.
I went through your query and understood your concerns.
Once a person becomes infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from the skin cells to nerve cells. The virus stays in the nerve cells forever. But it usually just stays there. In this stage, the virus is said to be dormant, or asleep. But it can become active again.
Some things that can trigger (wake up) the virus are:
Stress.
Illness.
Fever.
Sun exposure.
Menstrual periods.
Surgery.
Lean more about herpes simplex:
Recurrence of symptoms are common with in first year of 1st attack of infection. Over time, the outbreaks tend to become less frequent and milder. This is because the body makes antibodies (defenses) to the virus. As you had a year ago, if recurrence happens also most likely to be milder in form and shorter duration.
Hope I answered your question and feel free to ask further related query.
Wish you a good health.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I've never had a herpes outbreak on my genitals, my question is what are the chances that i will get an outbreak some time in the future, because i was exposed to the HSV 1 (as i wrote before my boyfriend at the time did not have a active cold sore when he performed oral sex on me, however, he had a red blemish were the cold sore was) a year ago. should i be worried about having an outbreak some time in the future?
Brief Answer:
In 55% of HAV 1 patient recurrence seen
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for follow up query.
Outbreaks are seen in 55% of patients with HSV1. Recurrence of infection can't be ruled out. Recurrence can occur on exposure to any of triggering situation as I mentioned in previous answer.
In few patients virus remains dormant through out life with out recurrence.
Its difficult to predict in whom recurrence seen and when it will be seen.
Barrier contraceptives like condom needs to be used to prevent spread of infection to your partner.
Hope I answered your query.
Regards
In 55% of HAV 1 patient recurrence seen
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for follow up query.
Outbreaks are seen in 55% of patients with HSV1. Recurrence of infection can't be ruled out. Recurrence can occur on exposure to any of triggering situation as I mentioned in previous answer.
In few patients virus remains dormant through out life with out recurrence.
Its difficult to predict in whom recurrence seen and when it will be seen.
Barrier contraceptives like condom needs to be used to prevent spread of infection to your partner.
Hope I answered your query.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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