[Question #634] HSV-1 Genital-to-Genital Transmission

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104 months ago
If partner 1 has genital HSV-1 and partner 2 has oral HSV-1, is it possible for partner 2 to contract genital HSV-1 from partner 1 through unprotected sex?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
104 months ago
That's a great question, Gordon.  In 33 years of practice I have only once seen someone who had an established history of cold sores acquire HSV 1 genitally subsequently.  I think the odds of either of you getting HSV 1 in a new place are extremely low and if I were in your situation, it would not at all be a worry for me.

Terri
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102 months ago
Thank you for the response Terri,

Another question I have is if partner 1 has genital HSV-1 and partner 2 has nothing, how likely is it for partner 2 to contract the following:

1. Oral HSV-1
2. Genital HSV-1

I'm looking for a separate statistic for each case. Thank you.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
102 months ago
I'm sorry but we have no statistics on that question.  I would guess it to be ess thlan 1%, if I had to take an educated guess
Terri
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102 months ago
So if partner 1 has HPV-1 and partner 2 has nothing and they have unprotected oral sex, there is less than a 1% chance that partner 2 contracts oral HPV-1?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
102 months ago
I think you mean HSV, not HPV, is that correct? 
Yes, that is a guess remember, OK?  There is no data on this topic

Terri
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