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Genital HSV 1 and Kissing
So my girlfriend (30 years old) has Genital HSV 1. Hasn't had an outbreak since the first time she got it. Can I get it from kissing her, even though she had it on her genitals? What are the odds I get it from having protected sex. I read about "shedding", but I am not sure how often that happens. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Best Answer
If she only has genital HSV-1, you will not contract it from kissing her.
Genital HSV-1 does not shed as often as oral HSV-1, however it does shed - there's even an official percentage. So yes, there is a risk of contracting it either via oral sex or genital sex, but this risk is low.
She can get on suppressive (daily) antiviral therapy, which will reduce the risk of transmission 50%. A condom during sexual contact provides 30% protection. Abstain from sex when she is experiencing symptoms.
Finally, you need to get tested yourself with a reliable blood test, either the IgG (good) or the Western Blot (best). You may very well be among the around 75% of Americans who have a type of HSV.
Genital HSV-1 does not shed as often as oral HSV-1, however it does shed - there's even an official percentage. So yes, there is a risk of contracting it either via oral sex or genital sex, but this risk is low.
She can get on suppressive (daily) antiviral therapy, which will reduce the risk of transmission 50%. A condom during sexual contact provides 30% protection. Abstain from sex when she is experiencing symptoms.
Finally, you need to get tested yourself with a reliable blood test, either the IgG (good) or the Western Blot (best). You may very well be among the around 75% of Americans who have a type of HSV.
Thanks for the response. She tested positive for HSV-1 and I do not have it. I am just trying to figure out how we can move forward without me contracting it, if possible. For instance, can I get it from kissing her or touching her with my hands/?
It is more likely than not your partner has just a genital infection. Hence contact outside of the genital area poses no risk.
Shedding from genital once the infection is well established is believed to occur 5-15 days per year. Only some of these days will involve enough virus to pose a threat of infection.
Do you have oral HSV1 yourself?
Shedding from genital once the infection is well established is believed to occur 5-15 days per year. Only some of these days will involve enough virus to pose a threat of infection.
Do you have oral HSV1 yourself?
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
The only practical ways of you being infected are through giving her oral or vaginal sex. Everything else carries near zero or zero risk.
The theoretical chance of you being infected are about 1% a year of sex with her. The reality is though that the people who get infected are prone to do so whilst others are seemingly immune and go their whole lives with a positive partner but never get infected.
60% of females you come across have this virus. You are as likely to get say a genital infection from receiving regular oral sex from a female with an oral infection than this partner.
Is she worth missing out on in a world full of HSV1??