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female
,
anonymous
writes: Quick question: how likely is it to pass on HSV 1 during oral sex? Coldsores aren't sexually transmitted and i know they're generally located and stay above the waist, but could one contract it during oral? thanks so much!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (18 February 2007): Hi, I also share this concern. I have read a lot of contradicotry information on the internet about this. I have also spoken to my sexual health specialist about the topic.
Basically type 1 HSV is usually found above the waist and causes cold sores or oral herpes and type 2 HSV is usually found below the waist and causes genital sores, genital herpes. There has, however, been a documented increase in genital hsv 1 infections. So, HSV 1 can be passed on through genital to oral sex.This from the majority of information I have gathered is most likely to happen at Prodrome (the itchy, tingly time before a cold sore appears) as well as at blister stage and during the outbreak untill the lesions have completely cleared.
With herpes of both types there can be shedding, times when the virus is active on the skin but may not show any visible symptoms. Much of the shedding occurs just before an outbreak but can also happen at random times. There is very little data concerning the risk of acuiring HSV 1 genitally through oral shedding of the virus.
Some 50-80% of the population carry anti-bodies for HSV 1 already. If a person already has HSV 1, then it is very unlikely that that person will develop HSV 1 genitally as they already have anti-bodies for it. Even if a person may have had no prior history of HSV 1 oral outbreaks, they can still carry the virus, its a tricky one.It is generally said that HSV 1 sheds less than HSV 2. Which lowers the risk of passing it on through shedding somewhat. Also evidence suggests that the more outbreaks one has and the more severe the more shedding. So if you have few outbreaks and they are mild shedding seems to be notibly less. I was haunted with this horrible fear of passing HSV 1 on from myself to a prospective partner during oral sex. I spoke to my sexual health expert and she said basically to avoid oral sex from prodrome untill completely healed. As that is the major risk time. I don't think having oral HSV 1 means you can't have oral sex again. Just insure you avoid it when you are experiencing an outbreak. As for the likelyhood of passing on HSV 1 through shedding, well there is very little data on this. Given that most people will be exposed to HSV 1 in their lives at some stage I think the likelyhood of passing HSV 1 on through oral shedding is very low but still a possibility. When HSV 1 is contracted genitally it tends to be much milder as it is out of it's site of preference so you get fewer reoccurences and much less shedding if any.
Hope all this has helped, if you are worried talk to your sexual health care proffessional.
Regards
K
A
female
reader, DrPsych  +, writes (20 November 2006):
 Cold sores that you get on your face can be transmitted to your other bits and pieces...and genitals seem to be a vulnerable spot. Transmission is most likely when you have skin-break out and it is in that weepy state. But when your skin is broken you should be aware that you are also vulnerable to other sorts of things too - it is possible to transmit HIV through a broken cold sore wound where you are in contact with bodily fluids. When you get that tingling onset of a cold sore you should take zinc tablets as this is a proven remedy - it won't prevent the outburst but it reduces the number of days and the general size of the problem.
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A
female
reader, mcbirdie +, writes (19 November 2006):
 Coldsores can be sexually transmitted. If you engage in oral sex while you have an active coldsore, the virus can be transmitted to the genitals.
The best way to avoid transmission is to avoid any oral-genital contact while you have a sore, but you should also be aware that it is possible to transmit the virus a few days before the sore is visible and a couple of days after it goes away. Of course, using condoms and dental dams will reduce the chances of transmission.
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