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What are the odds of me getting genital herpes when my boyfriend has cold sores?
My boyfriend performed oral sex on me last night, and today he found he has 2 cold sores. I want to know what the odds are of me getting genital herpes or if it’s even possible. He doesn’t have genital herpes by the way.
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#2 written by Alli 2 years ago
There is no way to accurately give you the odds or chances of you contracting genital herpes from your boyfriend giving you oral sex. There are too many factors and variables. If your boyfriend did have cold sores when he gave you oral sex though, there is a chance you will contract genital herpes.
Herpes can be spread from the mouth to the genital area and vice versa through oral sex.
BOTH genital herpes and cold sores can be caused by either herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2.
Using condoms and dental dams when you are having oral sex can HELP prevent the spread of herpes, but condoms/dental dams are not 100% effective. Abstinence is the only thing that is truly 100% effective.
If you are concerned you have contracted herpes you can always go to your doctor and get tested. Good luck to you!
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#3 written by Roma 2 years ago
HSV-1 is the strain that is consistent with the upper part of the body. You can contract it from him going down there but it will be the HSV-1 virus not the HSV-2 virus that is specifically genital herpes. I would keep an eye out for it but it HSV-1 does not normally contract to that area. But it is possible.
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#4 written by B.J. C 2 years ago
DON’T LISTEN TO ANY OF THE ABOVE. THEY HAVE BEEN MISINFORMED
The two herpes viruses that cause herpes (other herpes viruses cause other diseases) are:
HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus 1)
HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus 2)In the past, HSV-1 primarily caused oro-labial infections (cold sores, fever blisters) and HSV-2 primarily caused genital infection.
Times are changing (but people obviously still need to be educated):
HSV-1 can cause genital herpes!!!!!!! And it’s not all that rare. It now causes around 50-70% of primary genital herpes outbreaks. Probably as a result of an increase in oral sex. You can transmit HSV-1 from your mouth to the genitals of your partner fairly easily —assuming they haven’t been exposed to HSV-1 before [ie. orally]. The “good news” is that HSV-1 genital herpes infections are often mild (fewer outbreaks, less pain) — in fact many people with HSV-1 have one outbreak and then never experience another)
HSV-2 can also cause oral herpes (though it is very rare).
As far as odds for transmission go…….there are too many variables to give you anywhere near an educated guess. If you have been exposed to HSV-1 orally (many people have) than the antibodies you have to that would prevent transmission. Many other factors exist.
I recommend you read the following article (and so should everyone who posted above):
http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html -
#5 written by Judy 2 years ago
A great deal depends on your immune system and your personal care after the sexual encounter..If you are really worried call your Doc’s office and see if they will write you a script for an antiviral as a precaution. In the future, always use protection. If you don’t have the money for a “dental dam” you can use a condom split open to cover your labia, or a rubber glove cut to fit, or a kitchen storage plastic film, any thing but “naked ” is good, and you did use a condom if he did the other also????? I don’t think any one really know the “odds” but it can happen. Most people who have genital herpes don’t know where or when they got it. It is a sneaky little bugger that lies dormant and does not have to be in its active state to slough off and start up a new family of herpes on some one new and never let the original donor know they were there……You can get good information on any sexual question y Yahoo/google “Talk Sex with Sue”
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#6 written by kelmc623 2 years ago
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I hate to be the one to disagree with you all, but, medical experts no longer make a distinction between HSV1 and HSV2 because either form of Herpes Simplex Virus can manifest itself anywhere on the the body. Even though I cannot answer the question “what are the odds?”, I can, with certainty say you have strong reason for concern my dear.
As a side note, I wrote my answer after reading only the first few responses. After posting it, I realized, I was not disagreeing with “all” responders.