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Risk of contracting HSV2 orally
I contracted GHSV2 from my husband almost 11 years ago. I take daily suppresive therapy and do not have symptoms. My husband does not take suppresive meds since he doesn't have bothersome symptoms. Here is my question: what is the risk of me acquiring HSV2 orally or on my hand when I perform oral sex on my husband? After doing so recently I noticed a small red area on his penis that he was unaware of but that I suspect was a mild outbreak. Am I protected from acquiring it elsewhere on my body from antibodies I already have from GHSV2? Does the Valtrex I take for suppression also provide a layer of protection?
I think that's part of the issue too. If you're body avoided HSV1 with no antibodies it maybe there is something about your oral region that makes you less susceptible to infection, but who knows. The immune response to HSV2 is the best you could practically hope for.
Thank you for your reply. Since I have never had an oral HSV infection (1 or 2), I wasn't certain if having GHSV2 would provide immunity from an oral infection. Usually we are careful to avoid contact if there are symptoms, so I was concerned when I realized I was exposed to the active virus.
Yes you have near complete immunity. I don't think there is a case of someone with an established infection acquiring an oral infection. Best of course to avoid outbreaks but otherwise this is extremely unlikely to happen.
The antiviral does not add extra protection, but it doesn't need to.
The antiviral does not add extra protection, but it doesn't need to.
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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.
