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Conflicting info on HSV2 & oral sex
I'm a male with (genital) HSV2, and have seen conflicting info as to whether I can or cannot easily pass this to my partner, either by oral sex on her or oral sex on me. Some sites have said it could be passed through my saliva to her genitally, others say not. What's the truth?
The CDC says she can get it from having oral sex with me, but most other info I've seen seems to say if she caught HSV2, it would then be oral HSV2. Excuse my ignorance, but what would oral HSV2 manifest itself as? Cold sores like HSV1?
It's hard to find simple answers, and I'd like to have my facts straight in discussion with my partner as to realistic chances of her catching something! (One of Dr H's answers (on regular unprotected sex) indicated an extremely low rate of transmission to a partner, but I know I passed it to a previous partner the first time we had sex. So I'm very interested to know the facts about oral sex transmission (both ways). I've even had a partner hear from her Doc that she'd get HSV2 from me orally, and that it would pass down to her genitals. Thanks.
The CDC says she can get it from having oral sex with me, but most other info I've seen seems to say if she caught HSV2, it would then be oral HSV2. Excuse my ignorance, but what would oral HSV2 manifest itself as? Cold sores like HSV1?
It's hard to find simple answers, and I'd like to have my facts straight in discussion with my partner as to realistic chances of her catching something! (One of Dr H's answers (on regular unprotected sex) indicated an extremely low rate of transmission to a partner, but I know I passed it to a previous partner the first time we had sex. So I'm very interested to know the facts about oral sex transmission (both ways). I've even had a partner hear from her Doc that she'd get HSV2 from me orally, and that it would pass down to her genitals. Thanks.
Thanks for your comments and info. So I can go down or her safely (absent any oral HSV1 or 2 of mine) without any risk of transmission?
If you have hsv2 and your partner doesn't, definitely consider daily suppressive therapy to reduce her risk no matter what the sex act. If you haven't read up on it or talked about it with your female partner, do so and make the decision together.
Can you transmit hsv2 to the oral area? yes you can but the risk is very low. Overall hsv2 is the cause of only about 3% of all oral herpes infections. It happens but not often. The only way to transmit your genital hsv2 infection to a partner's oral area is thru her performing oral sex on you. It's not in your saliva for you to pass on to her thru kissing or anything like that. even if you do have hsv2 orally, it doesn't reoccur very often and doesn't shed very often at all either. If your partner is concerned about contracting hsv2 orally, suppressive therapy lowers the risk and you can also utilize barrier protection when she performs oral on you. Flavored condoms or flavored lubes help with the latex taste a little for that.
Oh and absolutely not can someone contract hsv2 orally and then it goes down to her genitals - can't believe a doctor told her that!!!
grace
Can you transmit hsv2 to the oral area? yes you can but the risk is very low. Overall hsv2 is the cause of only about 3% of all oral herpes infections. It happens but not often. The only way to transmit your genital hsv2 infection to a partner's oral area is thru her performing oral sex on you. It's not in your saliva for you to pass on to her thru kissing or anything like that. even if you do have hsv2 orally, it doesn't reoccur very often and doesn't shed very often at all either. If your partner is concerned about contracting hsv2 orally, suppressive therapy lowers the risk and you can also utilize barrier protection when she performs oral on you. Flavored condoms or flavored lubes help with the latex taste a little for that.
Oh and absolutely not can someone contract hsv2 orally and then it goes down to her genitals - can't believe a doctor told her that!!!
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
