[Question #9001] HSV and Kissing

37 months ago

Hello,

I would love to have some clarity on Genital herpes (1 or 2) transmission and kissing (or other activities that are not intercourse). This is in the context of when to disclose to a potential partner - if you may not know yet if it might go in that direction, so you don’t want to lead with the disclosure.

Is there risk of transmission through kissing someone infected with genital herpes, regardless of whether or not they have an outbreak?

If someone has genital herpes, but not oral, can they transmit to a partner through giving oral sex?

Basically, if someone has genital herpes - outbreak or not - is it transmissable through any other part of the body, or just genitally when shedding or experiencing an outbreak?

What other activities would be safe?

Thank you.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

37 months ago

All of my answers would depend upon which type of genital herpes one has. Can you tell me that please?

Some I can answer now:

If someone has genital herpes only, they will not transmit that to someone else by giving oral sex, outbreak or not.

If someone has genital herpes only, they will not transmit by kissing someone else, outbreak or not.

Terri

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37 months ago

Thanks, so if a person has HSV 1 (never had a cold sore but tested genitally) and 2 genitally (discovered via blood test), not oral, would that only be transmitted via genital contact? Does it “live” in the genital region and not travel?

If I’m understanding correctly, someone who only has genital HSV 1 and 2 would not transmit by kissing or giving oral sex, or any other skin to skin non-genital conact? Sharing a glass would be safe?

Would it be safe/ethical, for example, to kiss someone, decide if you wanted it to go further, and then disclose if it seems like things could get more serious??

Thank you.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

37 months ago

HSV 2 infection would be genital and would NOT travel up through the body and out through the mouth, no

However, if would be highly unlikely that both the HSV 1 and 2 infections are both genital. A more likely scenario is that the HSV 1 is oral and HSV 2 it genital, in which case, kissing would present a small risk of transmission.

yes, if things got more serious, the HSV status should be disclosed.

Terri

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