Hello, I am a male age 54 involved in a monogamous relationship with a female age 49. I was recently IgG tested positive for HSV-1(index 21.5) and HSV-2 (index 8.35). She was also recently IgG tested positive for HSV-1 only (index 16). I have had cold sores on lip and nose since childhood. I have had no known genital outbreak but I understand that it is common for such to go unnoticed or that I may not have had an initial outbreak yet. She has never had a known outbreak of any kind. I started taking suppressive daily 500mg valacyclovir after these findings since my known oral outbreaks are fairly infrequent.

It is my understanding that it should not be possible for either of us to re-infect the other with HSV-1 (is this correct?). It very much concerns us though that I might infect her with HSV-2. We know that barrier free intercourse is too risky but would like to know about the safety of oral sex without dams or condoms in our situation.

·       Is cunnilingus relatively safe given that my oral infection is likely HSV-1 and she already has antibodies to HSV-1?

·       Should I be PCR typed the next time I have an outbreak or is it safe to assume my oral outbreaks are HSV-1 and my positive HSV-2 test indicates genital herpes?

·       Can you comment on the relative safety of her performing fellatio on me given our profiles?

Thanks!