Ok so, I went on vacation last week and was exposed to the sun. A lot of sun exposure often gives me cold sores on my lips. I was putting Acyclovir on my lips as a precaution but stopped doing it because I wasn't feeling any cold sore. Yesterday, I saw my boyfriend again and we kissed and he performed oral sex on me. This was around 4 pm. Around 1 am, I started to feel a cold sore (tingling). I put the Acyclovir on and this morning I woke up with cold sores on my lips. I'm concerned that I can spread it to him. I did not feel anything at the time of the encounter and if I had I never would have made direct contact with him. I'm also nervous that if I spread it to him he could have spread it to my genitals. Would it spread it that quickly? Could I have given it to him and then could he have given it to me on my genitals? Every time I get a cold sore I'm extremely cautious and make sure not to spread it to anyone else or anywhere else on my body. Now I'm nervous that I have spread it by accident because I didn't know I had one.
It's natural to panic and I know (as someone with a history of HSV 1) that the tingiling stage in really the beginning of infection and the ointments can be effective in regressing the outbreaks (sometimes). However, I think that the sore has to present for the viral exchange to take place. You seem to have been taking proper precautions during outbreaks so this will decrease the risk of transmission.
Thank you for your reply. I'm feeling less panicky now. I don't want it to spread to other parts of my body that it isn't already present and I especially don't want to spread it to anyone else. I've had HSV 1 since I was an infant so I know how much it sucks and I know you understand. Thanks again!
All oral/genital HSV viruses can shed without symptoms, so lesions are not necessary, but since there was no tingling at the time, which it sounds like you usually get beforehand, then that's less concerning. Your bf may well have the virus asymptomatically already, as it's quite common. Also, fyi, you are unlikely to spread the virus to other parts of your own body, since you've had it for many years. Only the first few months are risky for that. Still not a good idea to touch a lesion then your eye, etc., but no need to be too overly concerned in general with regard to your own body.
Thanks! I was unaware of that, but it's good to know. Thanks again.