[salukigirl]

So I was informed that, if you can get cold sores, you can transfer that to your partner through oral sex and give them genital herpes? I believe this and it makes sense but I'm wondering what the chances are or how possible it is? I have given and received oral sex several times, I get cold sores, and so have previous boyfriends but this has never happened. Does anyone know about this?

Found this on the net...

HSV can also cause pharyngitis, an inflammation of the throat with similar ulcer formation. HSV is highly infectious and usually sexually transmitted. It is certainly transmitted by penetrative intercourse but there are several reports of transmission through oral sex. Virus particles are shed profusely from ulcers, either oral (including cold sores) or genital, and infection is far more likely when these are present. Transmission is unlikely, but not impossible, in the absence of ulcers.

If you have a cold sore on your lip, do not give anyone oral sex!

[Timgt5]

I would recomend consulting webmd for details-Just be careful when practicing oral, that is when you are in fact most vuneralble to catching something off the other person

yep, it can happen. But i dont think it actually would be considered true genital herpes, as thats a different virus than the oral herpes. Although it would be herpes on the genitals, it wouldnt be the same virus.

[salukigirl]

well i found a few different websites and this was the general consensus:

1. most people have the oral form by adulthood which means most people already have antibodies against the virus so it won't pop up in 2 different spots.

2. the most common form of oral herpes doesn't like the genital region, it prefers the mouth area for whatever reason.

3. the chances, at the highest, of shedding the virus to your partner through oral sex if you have an open sore on your mouth at the time never goes past 15%. and if you don't have a sore on your mouth it's like a 3% chance.

we talked about it because him and I both get cold sores. and I know that sometimes you can have them on the inside of your mouth, on your chin or anywhere else and maybe not know you even have an open sore on you at the time. so we discussed it and went over the possible consequences and we just decided to not perform that on each other if we think we might be coming down with one (like if i don't get a good night's sleep or am feeling stressed and could possibly get one at any time) and will wait at least a week after the sore is completely gone to do anything like that.

thanks for your feedback.

[Am I crazy?]

There is Herpes Type1 which is the cold sore on the mouth and there is Herpes Type 2, the genital one.
They are two different strains of virus. I think it's pretty unlikely that Type 1 would infect the genital area and visa versa.
However, I know that when there is some immunosuppression in a body that the Herpes virus can become systemic. I have seen it in sputum samples and throat swabs. I am not sure but I think this was Type 1.

Lisa

[salukigirl]

either type can infect either area. just because theyre 2 strains doesn't mean anything. theyre both still herpes and they can both effect any area on the body. that means you can have herpes of the eye, you can have cold sores on your neck etc...

[Am I crazy?]

Originally Posted by salukigirl

either type can infect either area. just because theyre 2 strains doesn't mean anything. theyre both still herpes and they can both effect any area on the body. that means you can have herpes of the eye, you can have cold sores on your neck etc...

That's incorrect - Type 1 will not infect the genitals. Type 2 will not infect the oral cavity. Type 2 is also the one that tends to infect the eye and brain. Yes they are both Herpes virus, however they are quite specific in which tissues they infect.

[Am I crazy?]

Originally Posted by Am I crazy?

That's incorrect - Type 1 will not infect the genitals. Type 2 will not infect the oral cavity. Type 2 is also the one that tends to infect the eye and brain. Yes they are both Herpes virus, however they are quite specific in which tissues they infect.

I totally take what I said back - I went and read up the latest about it and you are quite correct - they can infect both areas - my apologies - I am obviously behind the times. Originally they believed that they didn't and this is what was taught - back in my days - oops.
I will be quite now and slink away to my corner.
(Please disregard my previous message)

[salukigirl]

haha its cool. no worries