Can you get genital herpes from someone who has herpes of the mouth?!
Question: Can you get genital herpes from someone who has herpes of the mouth.?
My boyfriend sometimes gets cold sores on his mouth. It only happens about once or twice a year and lasts for about a week. We've been dating for years now, and I've never gotten any sores - but I'm hesitant to let me go down on me. I'm so scared that I could get genital herpes this way. Is it possible.? If so, is it only possible when he has a sore on his mouth.? I would never let him do this then - but I'm wondering if its safe when he doesn't have a sore. Thanks for the help.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Sunshine is correct. You can get hsv-1 (the virus that causes oral herpes) down there. Your greatest chance is when your boyfriend has a cold sore. Viral shedding can occur when he doesn't have one.
Somewhere around 90% of the population have hsv-1 orally. You may carry the virus and not know it. If you have hsv-1, you have antibodies that serve some protection against getting it down there.
Typically its safe when there's no sore.
It seems a little far to go, but you could always get a blood test to see if you carry the virus (many people get it when they are little).
I've had hsv-1 orally since I was little and I've been with my boyfriend for 3 years. He's never gotten it from me orally or genitally. Health Question & Answer
Somewhere around 90% of the population have hsv-1 orally. You may carry the virus and not know it. If you have hsv-1, you have antibodies that serve some protection against getting it down there.
Typically its safe when there's no sore.
It seems a little far to go, but you could always get a blood test to see if you carry the virus (many people get it when they are little).
I've had hsv-1 orally since I was little and I've been with my boyfriend for 3 years. He's never gotten it from me orally or genitally. Health Question & Answer
Although the herpes virus that causes genital herpes, you can still get the cold sore herpes infection in the genital area from oral sex. You can also get the genital herpes infection in the mouth area from oral sex. You're least likely to get an infection when there is no open sore, but occasionally the virus can still be shed from the infected person even if they aren't having symptoms.Health Question & Answer
The 2 answers above are correct.Health Question & Answer