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HSV 1 infection following HSV 2

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Hello,

I caught a very mild case of Herpes Simplex 1 on my genitals from an ex about 4 years ago who got cold sores on his mouth and didn't even have a visible outbreak at the time we had oral sex. My husband gets a cold sore (also seems very mild) on his mouth as well so he already has the virus. Here is my question. My husband and I were intimate last night and afterwards I went to use the toilet and had a tingling sensation very similar to the tingling that I get when I have an outbreak. I did some checking and it looks like i could have a small lesion that has formed. As I mentioned, my outbreaks are very minor....which is a blessing compared the stories i've heard from others, but I'm still very concerned. Is my husband now going to have a breakout on his genitals regardless if he has Simplex 1 already on his lips ( he's gotten them since he was a kid)? It's very possible he could have touched that area, his genitals could have touched....it is on the inside of my labia..or the lip area. I was told that Simplex 2 is more contagious than one (not sure if i believe that) and that both viruses cannot spread. That once you have it in a particular area you will always have a recurring breakout in that particular area. I don't like going off of what I hear...I just want to know the real deal, if this is true or not. I am very concerned for my husband. Any information regarding this will greatly be appreciated.

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Internal Medicine Specialist

Expert:  Dr. Cecelia J. Russ replied 4 Days.

Thank you for the consult.

I have gone through your query and will answer your specific queries here :

Is my husband now going to have a breakout on his genitals regardless if he has Simplex 1 already on his lips ( he's gotten them since he was a kid)?

Possible, but less likely. If the virus (which causes cold sores) is still active on your husband's body, then he will have some levels of antibodies which offer protection from other HSV 1 virus. That is if you are sure that you have HSV 1 infection. Its still possible because the antibody protection might not be complete and there is a chance that he might not be actively harboring the virus.

I was told that Simplex 2 is more contagious than one (not sure if i believe that) and that both viruses cannot spread. That once you have it in a particular area you will always have a recurring breakout in that particular area.

Herpes 2 is more contagious than HSV 1, since HSV-2 has specific tropism for genital epithelium . And if some body already has co existing HSV 1, the chance of getting HSV 2 is three times more form an infected partner. 

There is a chance for recurrent infection in HSV 1 and HSV 2. But it occurs only in certain limited number of cases. Its bit over hyped that it always causes lesion in the same are. It can, but only is some cases.

To conclude. You husband might have contracted an infection from you if you are having HSV 2 infection in your genital area. If you are sure that you have HSV -1 then no need to worry. However watch out for any symptoms or lesions. Or else you can both get tested for HSV proactively.


Hope this helps. Please feel free to ask followup questions via this email itself.
Thank you.

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