Partner has genital hsv1; have some questions

The girl I'm seeing has genital hsv-1, I have nothing. I keep reading that genital hsv-1 is rare, but my question is about the risk of me receiving it orally. If I go down on her (again I do not have hsv1 or 2) what are the chances I could contract hsv1 orally? We dated previously and decided to see other people for a while but got led back to eachother, so she contracted from someone else (trust me I'm not happy) but I really care about her. Oral sex is a big part of our sex life and my concern is getting it from going down on her. I've been reading about hsv1 for a couple days now and I'm having trouble finding an answer to this question. Please let me know and thanks in advance for your answer.

[gracefromHHP]

have you been tested to know your own status or are you just assuming you don't have herpes?  

unless she gets obvious symptoms, no way to know if she also contracted hsv1 orally at the same time.  What few studies on it we have show that anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who contract hsv1 genitally, also contract it orally at the same time. No easy or cheap way to know if she has it orally too or not if she isn't getting obvious cold sores.  Up to the two of you if you want to assume she also has it orally or not and base your precautions on that.  You are more likely to contract hsv1 orally from kissing someone with it than you are to contract hsv1 orally from performing oral sex on a partner with hsv1 genitally.  If you are concerned, utilize barrier protection for performing oral on her as well as receiving it.  

keep asking questions!

grace

[kawi53]

i got tested last year and i'm negative and she doesn't have it orally either. thanks for the info, makes me feel a little more at ease.