United Kingdom
A 31-year-old male asked:
I gave my partner genital herpes through oral sex (hsv1) with no symptoms but had an outbreak a few weeks beforehand. she then passed it on to me through sex as she was unaware. does this mean i have hsv2 and 1 now?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Odhett Cojocaruanswered
Internal Medicine 26 years experience
HSV 1 and 2 are 2 different viruses. HSV 1 is more prevalent on the lips, but in the recent years it has been found more often in the genital area. HSV 2 is seen in the genital area. Both look the same when the outbreak happens, behave similarly and are treated with the same medications (for outbreaks or for suppression). Only a blood test for antibodies will be able to differentiate between them.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Sep 06, 2021
Dr. Harold Peltananswered
Ophthalmology 30 years experience
Bummer. It sounds as if you now have HSV1 above and below. You can get a test to see if you have accidentally caught HSV2 from a different source. Valacyclovir and L-lysine are two meds commonly taken to suppress and shorten outbreaks. You can spread herpes when the tingling starts shortly before the lesions appear and for awhile after they are gone. Use caution.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Sep 26, 2021
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
Something doesn't compute. People are immune (at least highly resistant) to new infection with the HSV type they already have. If your partner's genital herpes is from your oral HSV1, probably she is not the source of your GH. Was your GH confirmed by testing a lesion? HSV1 and 2 refer to the virus, not to the body part infected. Maybe she has HSV2 as well as HSV1? You both should be retested.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Sep 28, 2021
Related questions
A 20-year-old female asked:
I had an IGG serology test that came back positive for HSV1 & negative for HSV2.How can I find out if its oral or genital?I've never had an outbreak.
Dr. Al Hegabanswered
Allergy and Immunology 42 years experience
HSV1 stands for oral: while HSV2 stands for the genital form, you don't need to have an outbreak, those antibodies mean that you were exposed, disease can spread even if th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Can you tell me can I have genital herpes even without outbreaks and tested negative on hsv1 & hsv2 after 6 mos?
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
Unlikely: If you have no outbreaks and have negative antibody tests, then it sounds like you don't have herpes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
How do u know if your genital herpes is hsv1 or hsv2
Dr. Wayne Ingramanswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Location, location, : Location, location, location.! This is the mantra of most real estate professionals about property values and marketability. It is also true in this ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
292 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Is it good idea to get tested for herpes if i never had sore or blister on mouth or genital? If so should I for hsv1 or hsv2? Want to test because I just learnt about herpes transmission with no sores
Dr. Susan Arnoultanswered
Family Medicine 27 years experience
Both : You might as well get tested for both to see if you carry either or both.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
A male asked:
HSV2 igg 1.5 IGM neg no s/s of infection. never lesions, Thoughts. false (+) or (+) genital herpes infection. virus dormant like HSV1? any worries
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
Maybe false positive: Edited, correcting a misunderstanding in my initial reply: Most HSV2 IgG tests, e.g. HerpeSelect®), are officially positive at ELISA ratio 1.1 or hig... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsReviewed Mar 25, 2023
View all answers
Last updated Dec 26, 2022
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $19/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.