Herpes. Protected oral sex.

[rockefeller]

What are the chances of catching herpes from your girlfriend is she has HSV-1 & HSV-2 and she gave you oral sex? Would I catch it if I used a condom?

[Galen70]

HSV 1 usually perioral. So a barrier method for oral sex would be indicated. Its unusual to have both hsv 1 and 2 how was this diagnosed. For vaginal sex, a condom only covers the penis - and HSV can affect any of the genital skin...so its not 100%. However you may already have either hsv 1 or 2 as most people with these problems are asymptomatic, and up to 50% of the population have already been exposed in their lifetimes.

[rockefeller in reply to Galen70]

Understood. However, if my girlfriend has cold sores on her lips / in her mouth and if I have a condom on, what are the chances of catching herpes if it was only oral sex which was involed with me being the recevier.

[Galen70 in reply to rockefeller]

Ok remember most herpes simplex transmission occurs when the person with herpes has no symptoms. When there are active cold sores present, then the chance is increased as there are more viral particles around.

However even if transmission happens, you could be in the 90% of people who never get symptoms with HSV. You would only know either if you were in the 10% that gets symptoms - or if you did blood tests - and that's not usually performed on the NHS in the UK.

[Galen70 in reply to rockefeller]

If you were wearing a condom for oral sex , it should be fully protective , if the condom was on for the full duration of sexual activity.

[rockefeller in reply to Galen70]

Thank you, Properdoc. I'll be sure to be extremely cautious. Herpes does pose a threat where to the areas the condom does not cover. This is what most people miss out. Thank you for shedding some light on this.

[Galen70 in reply to rockefeller]

herpes simplex is not as bad as most people think. Here is an excellent resource about herpes simplex : herpes.org.uk/

[rockefeller in reply to Galen70]

This is brilliant. I just read the article. Thank you once again.

[Galen70 in reply to rockefeller]

Most welcome

[Galen70]

Real helpful - not . Reported.

[rockefeller in reply to Galen70]

It was helpful. =)

[Galen70 in reply to rockefeller]

thank you Rockefeller - I meant the post that has now been removed by another member