Hi group,
I am writing to clear up some confusion, and in the process, prepare myself
for the eventuality that I may have genital herpes. Quickly, my story:

I'm a gay guy, and about a year ago, I had very brief oral sex with someone.
Shortly thereafter, like later that evening, my penis started feeling
sensitive, and the feeling progressed; my doctor ran some tests and I was
negative for std's, and my herpes blood test showed negative for HSV2, and a
negligible amount of HSV1.(I've had cold sores on my mouth, so this did not
raise any red flags.)  My doctor, and my urologist, both felt that I had an
inflamed urethra, and nothing more.

Since then, very little sex, always safe, mostly mutual masturbation.

OK...one year later, this October 14th,  a man performs oral sex on me for,
like 3 seconds. Again, the same thing: later that day, sensitivity. I wasn't
showing any symptoms of std's, but just to be sure, my doc put me on
antibiotics to kill anything, just to be safe.

The sensitivity has lasted on and off, and early November, my doc thought I
had a prostate infection, and put me on levaquin. We also did a herpes blood
test, to see if there's anything there. In the meantime, my penis was not
showing any outward signs of herpes.

The blood test returned negative for HSV2, but high for HSV1. Based on that,
and the fact that my sensitivity would come and go, my doc says I have
genital herpes. That happened Thursday, and since that day, I have had a
constant feeling to urinate, and upon research, could be having the pre
herpes condition prodrome. It's also possible the doc has so psyched me out
so much that my brain has overtaken my dick and I am now convinced I have
genital herpes. Doc put me on Valtrex, and six days later my penis is still
sensitive, although not as much.

So, my questions:

1. Does a high antibody count for HSV1 mean genital herpes?  Could this be
something else?

2. Last week (before test results) my penis was feeling fine and I had no
idea this was a possibility. I had unprotected oral sex with my mate, and I
am now becoming unglued at the prospect of infecting someone I love. What
are the chances, if I was in a pre-outbreak stage, that I could have
infected him?  (He tells me he's had cold sores, so we're going under the
premise he's already been exposed to HSV1 at some point.) Is it a guarantee
he's been infected?

3. If I have genital herpes, will it ever be safe for me to have unprotected
oral sex?

4. Realistically, how often would I get an outbreak?

In the meantime, my urologist has referred me to an infectious disease
specialist. I hope I get good news, but I am preparing for reality to hit.

Thank you all very much for your time, and your insight.

Jeff