[Question #3541] HSV1 oral to genital

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87 months ago
Hi Doctor,

Earlier today I had unprotected oral sex with my fiance for the first time. I was unaware that she had a cold sore in her mouth (she has HSV1) and we had oral sex for several minutes. I also have HSV1 oral (no cold sore is currently present), and I gave her oral as well. My question is this: how likely am I to contract genital HSV1 from her giving me oral sex (again she had a cold sore in her mouth that I didn't know about until after) when I already have HSV1 and vice versa? Thank you!
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
87 months ago
It is extremely unlikely that once you have HSV 1 in one location that you would acquire it in a new location in your body.  I can't say that it is impossible but it is extremely unlikely and I have seen it happen only once in 33 years of practice and heard about it one other time on a forum.

Terri
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