Genital HSV1 Infection - transmission question

I have recently found out that my genital herpes infection was positive for HSV1 and not for 2. That would explain my low re-occurance and the fact that I never transmitted it (as far as I know) to my soon to be ex husband of 7 years.

The new person I'm involved with was the one that encouraged me to find out what type it was that I have.  I have been reading about transmission of HSV1 to a partner during oral sex (yes, there is a chance, but low).  One question I don't see asked or information given is whether someone with HSV1 in the genitals carries the infection in their saliva.

In other words, could someone only contract HSV1 from me from the area in which it is infected?  I've never had a cold sore in my mouth ever.  So , is it safe to say that I can not transmit my genital HSV1 infection via kissing?

[Vance2335]

Moved from STD

[gracefromHHP]

most folks who have hsv1 orally never get obvious cold sores to know it. unless you get an obvious cold sore, no easy ( or cheap ) way to know if your hsv1 is only genital or if you also have it orally or not.  What few studies we do have on it show anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who have hsv1 genitally, also have it orally.

so what do you do? well has your current partner been tested to know his own status?

grace

[informationplease794]

I actually do have it genitally and know this for sure.  I was visually diagnosed almost 10 years ago by my OBGYN when I had my first outbreak (which was bad). I very rarely have any outbreaks at all, but my current partner wanted me to get tested to find out what kind I had. I was actually surprised that the test came back negative for HSV2 and only HSV1 was positive.  

My partner hasn't been tested in many years as to whether he has HSV1 or 2 but his last test came up clean for both. If he has HSV1 that he picked up from someone, that would be fine, as that would mean he could perform oral sex on me without fear of contracting what he already has.  

My real question is, can the HSV1 only be passed to a partner from the place on your body you originally contracted it - in my case genitally?  Or is it also carried in my saliva as well?  I'm pretty certain that it's not carried in my saliva, but really just wanted to have that thought confirmed.

thank you

[Mistakeguy789]

The location of your herpes is genital.  The only real way to transmit Herpes is via Skin to Skin contact.  So in this case you would only need to worry about the "Boxer Shorts" region of being the location that would be the site of transmission. You can find out a lot more information on www.westoverheights.com as a good resource on HSV and is run by Terri Warren who is the Medhelp HSV Expert on the Herpes Expert forums.  Feel free to continue to ask questions.

Your new partner may want to get tested to know his own status.  If he has kissed others or had any sexual contact outside of the last time he had testing he himself may have HSV now.  An IgG test is the one he wants.

[gracefromHHP]

you know you have hsv1 genitally. My post to you was also pointing out that you have no way of easily finding out if you also contracted it orally around the same time or not. When talking with a partner, you should consider that you potentially also have it orally and discuss together whether to take precautions when you perform oral on them. make more sense about what I said now?


Indeed your partner needs tested again for herpes if it's been a few years.  

genital herpes will never travel to the oral area but many folks who contract hsv1 genitally, also have it orally whether they get obvious cold sores to know it or not.  Most folks who have hsv1 orally, don't get obvious cold sores.

grace

[informationplease794]

HI Grace,

THank you.. I was under the impression that if you contracted it (HSV1) genitally you didn't orally because it would prefer orally it would show orally and that because you have it genitally you have the antibodies that would make it less likely to have it orally.  
Geez.. the whole thing is confusing I suppose..LOL

Thanks,

[petal130]

Many people who get genital HSV1 tend to get it both orally and genitally during the same exposure; this is because people who are having oral sex together are also most likely kissing. Make sense?

But in the instance where a person only has it genitally lets say, they almost certainly wouldn't get it at a later time orally, because they already have the antibodies protecting them.