[Question #12676] Risk of herpes transmission through oral sex

6 months ago

I was diagnosed with HSV2 in my genital area over a decade ago. I have never had any evidence of oral herpes. I take daily valacyclovir to avoid transmitting the virus to my partners and to avoid outbreaks.

I've always been under the impression that herpes is a localized contagious virus, meaning the contagious area needs to be the area that is in contact with another person's body to pass on the virus. In my case, that area is my vulva and vagina. This has meant that I regularly offer oral sex to my partners when they're uncomfortable with vaginal sex, due to the risk of transmission.

I recently started talking with a potential new partner about the possibility of me (someone with genital HSV2) performing oral sex on him, but he's concerned that there is still a risk (even minuscule) of him contracting HSV1 or HSV2 on his genitals from me performing oral sex. I'm fairly confident that a person cannot get HSV2 from me unless they come into contact with my genitals, but everything he's read about HSV transmission states: "HSV1 and HSV2 can be transmitted through oral sex."

Can you help me? Can a person with HSV2 on their genitals transmit HSV to a person by giving them oral sex, without any contact with the HSV2+ person's genitals?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

6 months ago

Sometimes when people acquire HSV 2 genitally, they also acquire it orally - they have intercourse with and give oral sex to the same person who has genital HSV 2. I would say most often, they are symptomatic for HSV 2 in both locations when that happens. Oral HSV 2 is very uncommon and when it is present orally, it rarely recurs and very rarely sheds without symptoms. I don't know what he is reading but there is not finesse with that statement and there should be, as I have described above. This new partner may not be a good fit for you if he is focused on this in the way that he is. The chance of you giving someone oral sex and passing on HSV 2 is so tiny I don't think you need to give it a second thought.

Terri

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