[Question #9726] Transmission risk Hepatitis and Herpes

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29 months ago
Hello,

I (male) am planning on having intercourse with a female sexworker (very active, over 5 clients per day, always uses condoms).
I would like to understand the risk of getting Hepatitis (any form) and Herpes (any form) from the following acts.
-Receiving oral sex ( blowjob) with condom
-Receiving oral sex (blowjob) without condom
-Having vaginal sex with condom

There is a lot of data online but could you perhaps provide me a more concrete chance of getting one of these sti's? Perhaps on a % per act basis?

Not an easy question, Thank you for any advice.

Kind regards
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
Welcome to our forum. Thanks for your questions. As you have already pointed out, there are not precise answers to the questions you ask. .

Neither hepatitis B, nor hepatitis C are acquired as a result of receiving oral sex. Is the risk of acquiring these infections is zero a condom adds little.  

Regarding herpes, again, there is no meaningful risk of acquiring HSV-2 from receipt of oral sex as oral herpes type 2 infections are very, very rare. On the other hand, if you have do not already have HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores, there is a small risk of acquiring such an infection. That risk is higher if your partner has an active cold sore and is minimal if your partner does not. Condoms effectively reduce the risk to zero. 

I hope this information is helpful to you. Sorry there are not more precise answers. EWH. 
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29 months ago
Thank you for your reply doctor.
Could you eleborate on the chances of contracting hepatitis and herpes thorugh protected vaginal sex?
Or do I have to purchase another question?

Thank you





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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
You do not have to purchase another question. You get up to three interactions as part of each thread. 

I’m not sure I understand your question, however. As I already mentioned, there is no known risk of acquiring hepatitis through receipt of oral sex. Thus, why would you expect a Condom to be any less effective. 

As for herpes again, I do not understand the question. The risk of acquiring herpes as I explained above is relatively low ( although there are no precise estimates, unless there is direct contact with a visible lesion, the risk without a condom is far less than 1%, if you are susceptible) and a condom increases the degree of protection substantially. While condom protection is not 100% due to the fact that it may not cover the entire penis or area of contact, it is close to that. 

If I’m missing something here, you’ll have to be more clear about your question in your final interaction. EWH.
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29 months ago
Oké, thank you for the follow up.
I will try to be as clear as possible.

Can I contract any form of Hepatitis (A, B, C) through VAGINAL intercouse with a Condom?

Kind regards
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
If you are not vaccinated for hepatitis B and use a condom for vaginal intercourse with a hepatitis B infected partner, and use the condom throughout the encounter your risk for acquiring hepatitis B is virtually zero.

Neither hepatitis A nor hepatitis C are transmitted with any appreciable frequency through unprotected vaginal intercourse.  Thus the risk for these infections, with or with a condom is virtually zero.

This concludes this thread.  EWH
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