Can I get Herpes by performing oral sex on person who has a cold sore on mouth ?

[ianthurstan]

Dear All,

My girlfriend has a cold sore on her mouth. I didn't kiss her lips(mouth). But, I kissed her vagina. Am I exposed to HSV 1?

[auntiejessi]

If she only has it orally, you won't get it from her genitals. Herpes infects nerve groups, and oral herpes infects the trigeminal nerve in the face. Genital herpes, either type 1 or 2, infects the sacral ganglia. These are not connected.

Herpes is only infectious from the site of the infection. If she has it orally, she is only infectious from her mouth. If she has it genitally, she is only infectious from her genitals.

In all your testing, were you ever tested for herpes? You could have hsv1 and not know it. About half the adult population does, and 90% won't ever get symptoms. Ask your doctor for a type specific IgG herpes blood test.

If you are going to be with her, it's only fair to you both that you don't freak out every time you kiss or are intimate.