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Can someone get HSV2 if they already have HSV1?

Before I had met my last wife (now ex), I had been with a previous ex.  After about a month of sex, she broke down and told me she had Herpes.  And from what she described, I could only guess it was HSV2.
And I had performed oral on her countless times.

Well, before my now ex-wife and I started having sex, I told her about the possibility of being exposed to it because I never got tested.  Well, after about 6 months of sex, she had a major outbreak, and decided to get tested.  She knew the risks, and wasn't upset about it.  So, the tests determined it to be HSV2.  So I went and got tested myself, and was told I have HSV1.

But here's my question... could HSV2 be transmitted to me, from someone who already has it, through oral or vaginal intercourse, to someone that already have HSV1?  Or could HSV1 be transmitted to someone oral or vaginally that already has HSV2?

The reason I'm asking is I've been having a discussion with a possible future partner, and she has HSV2.

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207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
I wonder how you got tested. Do you have those results?

If you have hsv1, you can still get hsv2. Your hsv2 may be milder because you already have hsv2, but you are definitely able to get hsv2. Hsv2 is almost always a genital infection, so you would be very unlikely to get that orally if you perform oral sex.

Your partner would be very unlikely to get hsv1 after having hsv2. Hsv2 provides immunity to hsv1 in ways that hsv1 doesn't provide to hsv2.

Assuming your male, here are transmission stats for hsv2, from female to male:

Ghsv2 transmission, female to male, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:

Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 4-5%

Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 2-3%

Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 1-2%

You've already had herpes talks with two partners, and now a third, if I'm understanding this correctly. This shows you how prevalent it is. I don't know if you are thinking of not entering into this relationship because of herpes, but herpes isn't ever a reason to leave a good relationship, or stay in a bad one.

Generally speaking, you are safer with someone who knows they have it, and knows when to avoid sex, and may be on suppression, then with someone who has it and doesn't know.

Ultimately, it's your call, and you aren't a bad person for deciding you don't want to take the risk. If that's what you decide, all we ask is that you leave your partner with dignity, and don't be the person who shares her personal info with others.

If you have other questions, we're here. :)
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