HSV1 genitally and kissing

[julychick]

My on and off again boyfriend was diagnosed this week with HSV1 genitally, during what looks to me to be a pretty bad outbreak, which is his first one. I have not been seeing him sexually for over a month now and during that time I tested negative for HSV from a blood test I had during a full STD screen that I do once a year. (Weird coincidence on the timing.)

The day before he got his test results back I saw him and we kissed on the mouth a lot including with tongue. He does not and has not had an outbreak on his mouth but I am positive he kissed the girls that he has been with since me including the one that passed HSV1 on to his genitals during oral sex.

What is the likelihood of me getting HSV1 orally from kissing him? I know that HSV can be passed on even when someone is not having any symptoms so even though he does not have a cold sore he could have it orally too, correct? And give it to me?

It seems to me that if he got it on his genitals from receiving oral sex and he intimately kissed the same person that he would have it orally too.

Please advise.
Thank you

[gracefromHHP]

Unless he gets obvious cold sores to know for sure that he has it orally too, there is no easy or cheap way to determine if he also has it orally or not.  The studies we do have on this are rather limited and only looked at the appearance of obvious cold sores in folks who were diagnosed as having hsv1 genitally.  Anywhere from 1/4 -2/3's of them also developed cold sores soon after infection genitally.  

I know - not a good answer but it's the best I can do for you.

grace

[julychick]

Thank you Grace

It confirms my thinking.

My Dr. thinks I should be fine but I'm going to get re-tested in August anyway since the time line is pretty close. That will make it over 2+ months since we were intimate and 6 weeks since his symptoms presented. That should be enough time to know if I was infected.

[gracefromHHP]

Statistically 1 out of every 2-3 adults you will kiss in a lifetime has hsv1 orally. It's incredibly common and by the time we get to the old folks home - about 80% of us have it. It's not something that many of us get thru life without.

grace