[Question #13937] HSV-1 question

1 months ago

Hi,

I am a 38 yr old male with cold sores (oral HSV-1). I am sexually active and recently I have met a woman that has genital HSV-1. We slept together and she told me after that she has it. I would like to see her again, what are my chances of getting genital HSV-1 if I already have the oral one?

Also, most people have oral HSV-1, so I probably was exposed genitally numerous times from receiving oral sex from oral HSV-1 carriers, and still never got it genitally.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

About 48% of US adults between the ages of 14 and 49 have HSV 1 infection. Once you have this in one location on your body, it is extremely unlikely you will get this in a new location on your body. Her HSV 1 is way quieter than your HSV 1 orally as this virus strongly prefers the oral area. If I were in your situation, I would not be concerned about transmission to your genital area.

Terri

---

1 months ago

Thank you for the quick reply, extremely unlikely as in lower than the chance of getting hit by a thunder? And what can I do to reduce the risk?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

I don't know what the statistical change of getting struck by thunder (do you mean lightning?). I can say that in 43 years of practice specializing in herpes, I have had one patient who told me that they had had cold sores in the past and now had a positive swab for HSV 1 from the labia. That's the closest I can come to a statistical answer

Terri

---

1 months ago

Sorry, I meant lightning, yes! Thank you very much for your answers, that puts it in perspective. Have a good day

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

You are most welcome

Terri

---