asymptomatic oral hsv-1 with symptomatic genital hsv-1

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows what percentage of people diagnosed with hsv-1 genitally also have asymptomatic oral hsv-1?

I’ve read it's very unusual for a person to have both genital hsv-1 outbreaks and oral hsv-1 outbreaks but it's possible to have hsv-1 genitally and orally if you were infected in both places at the same time.  In other words most cases of people infected with hsv-1 genitally and hsv-1 orally were infected in both areas on the same day or within a short time period.  About 6 months ago I found a post on this forum with a guy asking this same question.  I think the response he got was there are two studies that used PCR to determine how often people with hsv-1 genitally shed the virus and they also checked them orally to see if they were shedding it orally too.  I think I remember one study found 25% of people with hsv-1 genitally also had hsv-1 orally and another study found 60% of people who have it genitally also have it orally.  But I can’t remember for sure and I can’t find those studies anywhere online or that post on this website.

Does anyone know what percentage of people diagnosed with hsv-1 genitally also have asymptomatic oral hsv-1?  Has anyone ever seen any studies done on this?

Thanks!!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I've actually not heard of any studies that discuss what you are raising in questions.  There might be some, but I"m not familiar with them.  The situation would likely arise from kissing and receiving oral sex from the same person.

I'm sorry I don't have better information on your question.  If you find the answer, do let me know!

Terri