Vaginal HSV-1 Transmission

[seekretlover]

Hi. Last August I tested positive for HSV-1 genitally (vaginal). I have not experienced another outbreak since. My doctor told me "because its not at the site of preference you will probably never have another outbreak and you dont even need to tell your sexual partners." I disagree with this, as I've read in many articles that transmission can still occur in the absence of an active outbreak.  Because I am a single, young female, I need to be educated on transmission so to take the necessary precautions (as much as I would love to believe my doctor when she says I dont need to tell my partners!)

1. What is the likelihood that I will give my partner herpes if I preform oral sex on him?
2. What is the likelihood of transmission if we have protected sex?
3. What is the likelihood of transmission if my partner preforms oral sex on me?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[anonymous79]

A little late but just came across this site. Contracting HSV 1 genitally is as easy as having your partner perform oral sex on you with a cold sore.  Also if you had a cold sore and gave your partner oral sex before he penetrated you. Could even be that he or you had a cold sore and touched it and then touched yourself during intercourse...it can transfer the virus.  I have hsv 1 genitally for 2 years now and have never had an outbreak.  I didn't even know I had it until I went for my pap and regular std check.  My doctor told me it is nothing to be concerned with because as studies have shown that 90% of people are at some point in time exposed to the HSV 1 virus.  I'm a nurse and not overly concerned with the fact that I have the HSV 1 genitially and it hasn't affected my quality of life at all.  

[seekretlover]

Grace I appreciate your honesty in not having enough info to answer my questions. I realize that not as much is known about hsv1 genitally.

Are you able to shed any light on on whether or not I am at just as high of a risk as someone with hsv1 orally of transmitting hsv to a partner through kissing?

[gracefromHHP]

Hsv1 genitally on average doesn't reoccur in about 1/2 of folks infected with it.  Of those who do get recurrences, the average is 1 additional ob the first year and 1 ob every other year after that. Only a small percentage of folks get ob's more often than that.  It doesn't shed very much - 3% of days on average so the odds of transmitting to a partner are pretty low in general. If your partner also has hsv1 orally, the risk of transmission is incredibly low - just avoid sex anytime you have obvious genital symptoms.

I totally disagree with your provider saying it's not something to talk about with a partner. First off it's just the "nice" thing to do. Honesty begins at the gitgo in a relationship.  It's far easier to bring it up before you are intimate than it is to have to talk about it after a partner expresses concern about oral or genital symptoms. To me if it's something you know you have and you know it can be transmitted to someone, it needs to be talked about.   Also it's a good way to bring up std's in general and testing - you can still contract hsv2 so you want to know your partner's status on that. Hard to expect them to get tested when you aren't willing to be honest about what you know you have.  ( and I realize you don't agree with your doctor - just putting it out there for others why what your doctor said is just plain not a good idea ).  

I can't really answer your questions for you to be honest. We don't have the info on hsv1 genitally as far as odds of transmission as we do with hsv2. Also you need to know your partner's hsv1 status too.

Keep asking questions as you have them :)

grace

[soscared74]

I thought that HSV1 was the one that occurs on the mouth and HSV2 is the one on the genitals.  Please clarify for me