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STDs (Expert Forum)
Risk of contracting HSV1 through kissing
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Risk of contracting HSV1 through kissing
by tryng2bsafe, Oct 15, 2008 01:12PM
So I know that HSV1 is very common. I've been tested and I don't have it. I would prefer not to get although I don't judge anyone who has it.
What is the approximate risk--numerically if possible--of getting HSV1 by kissing someone who is not showing any symptoms at the time and whose HSV status I don't know?
I've read many posts and medical references so I know how HSV is transmitted. I know that between 1 in 3 and 1 in 5 people has some form of HSV. I just want a ballpark percentage risk of actually contracting herpes from kissing someone who is not showing any symptoms and whose status I don't know. (not light kissing but real 'making out' if you will)
What is the approximate risk--numerically if possible--of getting HSV1 by kissing someone who is not showing any symptoms at the time and whose HSV status I don't know?
I've read many posts and medical references so I know how HSV is transmitted. I know that between 1 in 3 and 1 in 5 people has some form of HSV. I just want a ballpark percentage risk of actually contracting herpes from kissing someone who is not showing any symptoms and whose status I don't know. (not light kissing but real 'making out' if you will)
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Oct 15, 2008 01:47PM
, Oct 15, 2008 01:47PM
Actually, HSV-1 is even more common than you thought. About 60% of adults in the US have HSV-1 and about 20% have HSV-2. for both infections most people who have the infections do not know it but can spread it to others through asymptomatic shedding of the virus on normal appearing skin.
These scary figures however do not tell the entire story. We also know that contact with lesions (genital herpes lesions or cold sores) is more likely to transmit infection than asymptomatic shedding. We also know that most exposures to the virus, whether that is asymptomatic shedding or a lesion, do not lead to transmission of infection. (sorry, there are no data on per exposure risk of infection. Just through observation however we know that most infection exposures do not lead to transmission)
Bottom line. Ask your partners if they have ever had cold sores or genital herpes as is appropriate. Don't expose yourself to them if they have lesions. With GH, use precautions including condoms. Having given you these warning, I would also urge you to not worry too much beyond these precautions. I am not suggesting that getting HSV is a good thing but, as the same time, it is by no means the end of the world or a valid reason to curtail your interactions with someone you care about. Hope this helps. EWH
These scary figures however do not tell the entire story. We also know that contact with lesions (genital herpes lesions or cold sores) is more likely to transmit infection than asymptomatic shedding. We also know that most exposures to the virus, whether that is asymptomatic shedding or a lesion, do not lead to transmission of infection. (sorry, there are no data on per exposure risk of infection. Just through observation however we know that most infection exposures do not lead to transmission)
Bottom line. Ask your partners if they have ever had cold sores or genital herpes as is appropriate. Don't expose yourself to them if they have lesions. With GH, use precautions including condoms. Having given you these warning, I would also urge you to not worry too much beyond these precautions. I am not suggesting that getting HSV is a good thing but, as the same time, it is by no means the end of the world or a valid reason to curtail your interactions with someone you care about. Hope this helps. EWH
