Risk of transmitting genital HSV-1

I am diagnosed with genital HSV-1. I've only had one outbreak in my lifetime and that was the initial outbreak. I always try to be as safe as I can with partners. However, I find myself conflicted and scared as to what I can actually do (sexually) safely... What are the chances of me transmitting my condition through kissing? Sometimes I feel as if I can't do very much anymore and would hate myself if I were to spread this to other people -- though I can deal with it myself. Answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mama2forya]

I was recently diagnosed with the same thing yes u can tranmit through kissing sharing drinks and oral sex at any given time my doc told me

[auntiejessi]

If you only have genital hsv1, you will not transmit that by kissing.  Herpes is location specific, meaning you can only transmit it from the location you have it.

Genital hsv1 sheds a lot less than ghsv2, and in most people, it recurs infrequently.  While it is possible to transmit it from the genitals, it's just not likely.  If your partner has hsv1 (and testing with a type specific IgG blood test can determine that), then he/she already has antibodies, and just avoiding sex with an ob is probably all the precautions you need to take with hsv1.

Some people - about half - get oral and genital hsv1 at the same time, but might never get an oral ob.  It will be hard to determine if you are one of those people without getting an oral ob, but this is nothing to freak out over, ok?  A lot of people have hsv1 already, and again, if your partner already has it, you don't need to worry.

Aj

[cassie777]

Thanks so much for your informative response. However, I don't know what an "ob" is. What did you mean by that? And what can I do to find out if I have genital HSV-1 orally too?

But again, you would say that it's unlikely for me to transmit my genital HSV-1 through kissing? And what are the chances that I have genital HSV-1 orally too?

[Jaydie]

ob  is short for outbreak. I have genital hsv-1. It cannot be transmited through kissing. You do not have to worry about that.