Hey there,
I am a male and recently started dating a female who disclosed to me that she has HSV 1 genitally (we have not had sex yet). I have been tested for herpes in the past year and the results came back negative.
She was diagnosed 10 years ago, has never had a second outbreak, and takes daily suppressive medication. I read on the H Opp statistic handout that the transmission rate from female to male is about 1% if using meds and condoms. I also read somewhere else that HSV 1 genitally is less contagious than HSV 2. So would that percentage be smaller or the same in this scenario? Also, what is the transmission rate like if I were to perform oral sex on her?
Sorry for all the questions, she's a great girl and I would like to make this work but also want to be safe. Any information is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading!
@j33photography
Hello and Welcome!
Simply put, HSV1 genitally sheds about 1/4 to 1/3 as much as HSV2 .... so yes, your risk with using the suppressive therapy and condoms should be well under 1%.
As for possible transmission during oral sex... the virus sheds about 3x as much when it's in the oral area as it does genitally ... so the risk would be about the same as it is for having sex... less than 1% likelihood.
And just to make a point ... unless you have always made every single partner go and have the herpes blood test before you even kiss them, odds are you have kissed plenty of women who have HSV1 orally and don't know it or don't think to tell you.... AND if you like to receive oral, odds are you got exposed there too and just plain got lucky... ;)
So if this woman is someone who you care for deeply and want to be with, then why would you let the "cold sore" virus even slow you down? The vast majority of people get H from people who don't know they have it ...and when you both know the person has Herpes, you reduce your risk of transmission right there because you will have more open lines of communication around sex and avoiding contact if your partner has any suspicion that they are shedding or getting an outbreak :)
So have fun, play safe, and keep us posted!!!
@WCSDancer2010
Thanks so much for the info! That definitely puts things into perspective for me :)
Glad to help :)
