HSV-1 Confusion

[phishphan7]

I was recently diagnosed with herpes. I requested that my doctor order blood work to determine which simplex (or both) that I am positive for. The results came back with me being HSV-1 positive only. My partner got tested as well and he also came back as being HSV-1 positive only as well. The only difference is that he has never had sores on his genitals. He's only ever had cold sores on his mouth like most everyone I know has, including me. I know that HSV-1 can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals but I'm curious if it will be necessary for us to use condoms and dental dams from now on? Even though we're both HSV-1 positive, can I give him the genital version now? Please help - I find conflicting information everywhere I look and we're both very concerned about this.

Thanks for your help!

[bluefrog]

yes, hsv1 can be genital also. yes, you can both transfer the virus to each other genitally. using dental dams, condoms, etc. is a choice you both have to make.

[phishphan7]

more questions

So (and I'm sorry I sound like a 3 year old about this but it's all so new to me) even though I do have genital hsv-1, but he has oral hsv-1, I can still transfer it to his genitals when I'm not breaking out? From what I understand, shedding occurs much less often with hsv-1 than hsv-2. Even if I'm all clear, he might still get genital hsv-1? And could he end up with a more severe case on his face if he performs oral sex on me? It's hard to figure out how to live with this and keep him protected. I appreciate the reply and look forward to receiving more information.

Thanks!

[BoxofRain]

Theres still a risk he could get it genitally from having sex with you, even when you dont have an outbreak, and even though he already has some antibodies against the type you have. It is still very possible so its a choice you will both have to make and decide if he is ok getting it genitally, which is a risk he will be at if you still have sex.

Now, in terms of him giving you oral sex........thats probably how you got hsv1 genitally, but since he already has it orally and you have it genitally it is a choice to continue letting him do it to you unprotected. Sometimes it can cause a person to get more severe outbreaks but somtimes it might not cause an increase at all in his oral outbreaks. Its a personal choice, but either way, still dont ever have sexual contact when he has an oral outbreak or you have a genital one, because that is prime spreadint time of live active virus. Hope this helps a bit.