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How Is HSV1 Contracted?
Question: I recently was feeling bad and went to the doctor. He thought I was having a herpes outbreak. I have been married for 35 years and have never strayed outside our marriage and doubt my wife has. I had blood tests done and I came back positive for HSV1. I do not remember ever having an outbreak in my entire life. Is it possible for me to have contracted this before I was married and it just show up now? I have to let her know about this tonight and I am very concerned how to approach this and what the outcome will be.
Brief Answer:
it is a very common infection
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Herpes SV 1 can remain dormant for a varied period of time, in some persons for years.
It may re emerge if the immune system is impaired in any way eg (1)sick from another infection
(2)medication such as steroids or other immune suppressants
(3)age-as persons age, the immune system changes
(4)autoimmune diseases
It is important to remember that many persons do not remember may not know they have this infection. It may be silent, some have no symptoms.
It is also important to remember that HSV infection is very common- it is estimated that 50 % ( 1 out of 2 persons) to 80 % (4 out of 5 persons ) , may have this infection, so it is not unusual that you have it.
It is spread by sharing utensils and cups, kissing.
You may have got by sharing utensils/cup with someone at some point. It is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (though can sometimes be found in the genitalia) because persons can get with no sexual contact whatsoever.
So when relaying the info would need to stress - it is very common in most populations and can be transmitted with no sexual contact
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
it is a very common infection
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Herpes SV 1 can remain dormant for a varied period of time, in some persons for years.
It may re emerge if the immune system is impaired in any way eg (1)sick from another infection
(2)medication such as steroids or other immune suppressants
(3)age-as persons age, the immune system changes
(4)autoimmune diseases
It is important to remember that many persons do not remember may not know they have this infection. It may be silent, some have no symptoms.
It is also important to remember that HSV infection is very common- it is estimated that 50 % ( 1 out of 2 persons) to 80 % (4 out of 5 persons ) , may have this infection, so it is not unusual that you have it.
It is spread by sharing utensils and cups, kissing.
You may have got by sharing utensils/cup with someone at some point. It is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (though can sometimes be found in the genitalia) because persons can get with no sexual contact whatsoever.
So when relaying the info would need to stress - it is very common in most populations and can be transmitted with no sexual contact
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So it is possible for me to have had this since childhood without showing symptoms? I doubt my wife has ever been tested for this. After 35 years of marriage is it possible for me to have HSV1 without her contracting it?
Brief Answer:
she may not have it
Detailed Answer:
HI
With oral herpes (and in some cases genital), it is possible to have the infection and no know it.
It is possible that she may not have it, but since it is transmitted by contact with oral fluids, she may have it.
The only definitive way to know would be testing.
It is possible that you could have it from a long time ago but since it can be transmitted by sharing utensils/cups, if you shared utensils/cups in a public setting anywhere , you may have gotten it this way.
Please feel free to ask anything else
she may not have it
Detailed Answer:
HI
With oral herpes (and in some cases genital), it is possible to have the infection and no know it.
It is possible that she may not have it, but since it is transmitted by contact with oral fluids, she may have it.
The only definitive way to know would be testing.
It is possible that you could have it from a long time ago but since it can be transmitted by sharing utensils/cups, if you shared utensils/cups in a public setting anywhere , you may have gotten it this way.
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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