oral HSV 1 and Genital HSV 1 transmission

[misscute80]

Hi doctor,

Both me and my partner have oral HSV1. We've had cold sores since we were younger.He has fewer outbreaks than i do, i get them 2-3 times a year.
i gave him a blow job a few mornings ago, immediately right after i noticed a red patch just 1/2 a centimeter below my lower lip. I realized that it was going to be a cold sore so i took valtrex immediatley and gave my boyfriend valtrex also. the cold sore appeared after a few hours but very mild. There was saliva involved but from what i can recall his penis didnt touch that area directly and no sores WERE present.

Here are my questions:

1. what is the possiblitly that he will will herpes/outbreaks from the blow job since we both have HSV 1 oral?. what is his immune status to the virus? i have read in forums that because we are both HSV 1 oral positive our bodies have immunity from getting it anywhere else.

2. Since it was in the prodromal stage( i know it's contagious), what are the chances of transmission? Don't alot of couples who are both HSV 1 oral positive have oral sex and sometimes NOT realize that they have or might have a coldsore? Is it more easily transmitted when there is a full on cold sore present?

3.what are the chances of any symptoms showing up withn 2-20 since i've already given him valtrex, does that mean the outbreak might take longer to appear?

4. Can i accidently give myself genital HSV 1?

Thanks doc, i posted it once but it didn't seem to work.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Anybody with HSV is immune (or at least highly resistant) to catching a new infection of the same type.  Neither of you will transmit the other's HSV-1 to the other, and neither of you can infect your own genitals with your oral infection.  (If you really tried hard, you might be able to do it.  For example, if you scraped your oral lesion with your fingernail then intentionally scratched your genital area, you might transfer the infection.  But otherwise, no chance.)

I think that answers all 4 of your specific questions.  To be super safe, it probably would be smart to do your best to avoid oral sex when either of you is having an oral herpes outbreak.  But if it happens anyway--like it apparently did a few mornings ago--don't worry about it.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[misscute80]

Hi doctor,


Thank-you for your reply,

But i wanted to know if it was possible to infect my partner down there knowing that I might have a cold sore in its prodromal stage on my mouth? or is the risk still minimal? knowing that there was vigorous rubbing on from the blow job?

Or like you said, it's minimal,  that i cant infect him knowing we both have the strain in the oral and it will likely not infect the genital area because the strain is already in oral and can't transfer to another body part?

[misscute80]

BTW sorry Doc

Have you ever heard of any cases or had any patients thats had Oral HSV1 transfered to genitals area if both partners already have oral HSV 1?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I already told you in my reply above that people with HSV-1 do not acquire new HSV-1 infections, anywhere on the body; and they do not transmit their own infections from one body part to the other.

And no, I have never seen such a case.

To username babe_t: You may not post a new question as a comment in an existing thread. Use the Post a Question button.

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