Question:
I was just wondering if anyone out there suspects that they contracted oral HSV-1 through asymptomatic shedding. That is, there was no sign of a cold sore on the person they kissed. I think that's how I contracted the virus and just want to know if there are similar stories out there like mine. Thanks!

Answer:
Just so you know I contracted HSV-1 from someone who did not show a visible cold sore and my doctor told me he was probably shedding the virus and didn't even know it. I just got diagnosed a little over a week ago and I am still angry and bitter about the whole thing, especially considering the fact that I am a virgin with an STD that I got through oral sex, if I would have only known this was possible.

hope

Answer:
dear hope,

sounds like you and i were unlucky enough to have caught HSV-1 during it's estimated 2-6% chance of asymptomatic shedding a year. Crazy, huh? That means that there was a 94-98% chance of us NOT getting it through asymptomatic shedding ... and you would think those were pretty good odds.

I hope things get better for you! If you have HSV-1 in the genital area, it's not supposed to recur as frequently as HSV-2. In fact, I bet HSV-1 in the genital area sheds even less than in the oral region because it's "out of place." At least that's my deduction ...

You know, it's also estimated that 50-80% of the U.S. population has HSV-1 ... so if that's true, then at least HALF of the people we encounter have it. It's just that a lot of them never show symptoms (sores) ... they shed, but they don't get any sores. Really, I suppose it's unfortunate that we do get sores 'cause it makes us feel like crap. The only difference between us and them? We found out we have it.

Answer:
i got it genitally i think from someone who had it orally but wasn't shedding. the reason i think this is that my ob appeared while i was with a guy who had it orally, and had just some months earlier been with another that had it orally. neither had it genitally to the best of my knowledge. so i figure since they both had periodical blisters on their lips it must have been from that, from one or the other.

Answer:
i can relate because i found out i have hsv-1 last week. and the guy i got it from showed no signs. and it seems like i break out every month now. :( and i never had problems before if i had it and never knew. i'm a lil confused tho... if we know we have hsv-1, and since nearly everyone has it anyway, are we to tell people who we kiss that we have this? i'm sort of lost with this whole thing. what makes it worse is that i have a horrible eating habit, insomnia, and i don't exercise. i'm the most unhealthy person i know i suppose! lol i know it's time to start being more responsible with my body, and having this problem will get me motivated... lol hopefully...