Aa
Can saliva transmit herpes?
Dear Doctor,
Four days ago I moronically used spit as lubricant while masturbating. I had, and still have, three cold sores in my mouth. I have periodically had oral cold sores for as long as I can remember (maybe 8 years), and don't know if they are HSV 1 or 2. I have been worried sick ever since that I might have given myself genital herpes. So far I have shown no symptoms. Does saliva transmit the herpes virus? If yes, what are the odds that I have become infected genitally?
I have been reading endlessly about herpes and some internet sources claim the virus can be transmitted in saliva and by touching, and others deny it. This uncertainty has added to my anxiety. What is the truth?
Thank you for your help.
Four days ago I moronically used spit as lubricant while masturbating. I had, and still have, three cold sores in my mouth. I have periodically had oral cold sores for as long as I can remember (maybe 8 years), and don't know if they are HSV 1 or 2. I have been worried sick ever since that I might have given myself genital herpes. So far I have shown no symptoms. Does saliva transmit the herpes virus? If yes, what are the odds that I have become infected genitally?
I have been reading endlessly about herpes and some internet sources claim the virus can be transmitted in saliva and by touching, and others deny it. This uncertainty has added to my anxiety. What is the truth?
Thank you for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Many people share the same misunderstanding; herpes/canker sore confusion is very common. Many of our moms don't know the difference, and their kids grow up hearing canker sores called cold sores. And until around 20 years ago, many (most?) physicians thought canker sores are sometimes caused by HSV.
You may still have oral HSV-1, since half of all adults have it, mostly acquired in childhood; most have no symptoms, so lack of typical cold sores isn't evidence you aren't carrying the virus. But if you are, it's unrelated to the canker sores.
You may still have oral HSV-1, since half of all adults have it, mostly acquired in childhood; most have no symptoms, so lack of typical cold sores isn't evidence you aren't carrying the virus. But if you are, it's unrelated to the canker sores.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
The main issue here is not whether or not saliva can transmit HSV. It probably can, although rarely. Indeed there is confusing information on the web. The apparent disagreement comes down either to misunderstanding, or because some websites do not distinguish between transmission risk in recent versus longstanding infection.
First, in response to having "three cold sores in my mouth": sores inside the mouth usually are canker sores, not herpes. Recurrent oral herpes (cold sores) almost always is on the outer parts of the lips or elsewhere on the face. Canker sores are not cold sores.
Self-transmission of infection to a new body part is called auto-inoculation. It is almost entirely limited to the initial herpes infection -- i.e. within a few weeks after the virus is first acquired. People with longstanding HSV (of either type) are immune, or at least highly resistant, to new infections with the same virus type, anywhere on the body. Therefore, auto-inoculation is rare in the situation you describe. If you have oral herpes, almost certainly it is HSV-1, since HSV-2 oral infections are very rare. So not only are you immune to transferring your infection to your penis, if you have oral herpes, you also will never catch genital HSV-1 from a partner, for example if s/he performs oral sex on you.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The main issue here is not whether or not saliva can transmit HSV. It probably can, although rarely. Indeed there is confusing information on the web. The apparent disagreement comes down either to misunderstanding, or because some websites do not distinguish between transmission risk in recent versus longstanding infection.
First, in response to having "three cold sores in my mouth": sores inside the mouth usually are canker sores, not herpes. Recurrent oral herpes (cold sores) almost always is on the outer parts of the lips or elsewhere on the face. Canker sores are not cold sores.
Self-transmission of infection to a new body part is called auto-inoculation. It is almost entirely limited to the initial herpes infection -- i.e. within a few weeks after the virus is first acquired. People with longstanding HSV (of either type) are immune, or at least highly resistant, to new infections with the same virus type, anywhere on the body. Therefore, auto-inoculation is rare in the situation you describe. If you have oral herpes, almost certainly it is HSV-1, since HSV-2 oral infections are very rare. So not only are you immune to transferring your infection to your penis, if you have oral herpes, you also will never catch genital HSV-1 from a partner, for example if s/he performs oral sex on you.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
A related discussion, Transmission Of HSV-1 from saliva of primary infection was started.
Thank you for your very swift response.
I guess I have been confused. My lesions are always inside the mouth, and meet the description of a canker sore. I had thought that these were herpetic. Since they aren't, as you have just told me, I can't say that I know whether or not I have oral herpes.
I guess I have been confused. My lesions are always inside the mouth, and meet the description of a canker sore. I had thought that these were herpetic. Since they aren't, as you have just told me, I can't say that I know whether or not I have oral herpes.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
