[Question #2080] Re: transmitting herpes from mouth to genitals

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89 months ago
About 8 weeks ago, I was at a bachelor party, and a stripper kissed me on the lips, it was a brief kiss lasting a few seconds more like a quick good bye kiss than "making out". I was concerned that I may have been exposed to oral herpes (I understand that there is type 1 which most people have been exposed to, and type 2 which is more the sexually transmitted type. I also understand that herpes type 1 (cold sores) isn't considered an STI.)

A few hours after that encounter, I went home and masturbated and used spit/saliva because I couldn't find lotion. The next morning I noticed a little skin irritation/abrasion on the tip of my penis from the rubbing. I'm worried that if I had been exposed to herpes that night, I might have spread it to my genitals from the saliva I used to masturbate. Is this possible or something I should be worried about?

side note: its been 8 weeks and I haven't had any oral symptoms, or noticed any genital symptoms.

Thank you.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
89 months ago
These are the same questions answered by Terri Warren in your other thread over the past two days, with slightly different wording. I agree with her responses, including the follow-up questions you asked. There is very little likelihood of HSV1 from this event and for sure no risk for HSV2. And also no risk for infecting your genital area from your mouth in the manner described. As Terri advised, you should not be tested for HSV on account of this exposure.

HHH, MD

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