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Can HSV-1 Be Contracted Through Oral Sex?
Question: Hi Dr. XXXX,
I have HSV1 genital- is it possible that my partner can catch it when giving me oral? do you know what the chances are? Thank you
I have HSV1 genital- is it possible that my partner can catch it when giving me oral? do you know what the chances are? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Yes it can spread by oral sex.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. You can spread HSV 1 by receiving oral sex. But HSV 1 is not that dangerous and about 70 percent of US population are positive for it.
By taking antiviral drugs like valacyclovir you can decrease the chance of spread. 500 to 1000mg once a day will be helpful for this.This can reduce the chance of spread by more than 75 %.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Yes it can spread by oral sex.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. You can spread HSV 1 by receiving oral sex. But HSV 1 is not that dangerous and about 70 percent of US population are positive for it.
By taking antiviral drugs like valacyclovir you can decrease the chance of spread. 500 to 1000mg once a day will be helpful for this.This can reduce the chance of spread by more than 75 %.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for responding
Do you know what the % of spreading it is without the medicine?
I took those meds the first time I had an outbreak and they made me so nauseas so I just dealt with it the other 2 times(and luckily it wasn't as bad and didn't last as long) I haven't had an outbreak in over a year.. So definitely don't want to be on medicine for life especially if it made me nauseas.
Do you think most guys would be willing to take the risk and still perform oral?
Do you know what the % of spreading it is without the medicine?
I took those meds the first time I had an outbreak and they made me so nauseas so I just dealt with it the other 2 times(and luckily it wasn't as bad and didn't last as long) I haven't had an outbreak in over a year.. So definitely don't want to be on medicine for life especially if it made me nauseas.
Do you think most guys would be willing to take the risk and still perform oral?
Brief Answer:
Over all risk of transmission is 10% per year.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up.
The over all risk of transmission with out antiviral drug is 10 % per year. And only 25 % of people with genital HSV 1 shed virus in absence of symptoms.
As HSV 1 is very common i don't think there will be much problem. Avoid sexual contacts while having symptoms.
Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Over all risk of transmission is 10% per year.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up.
The over all risk of transmission with out antiviral drug is 10 % per year. And only 25 % of people with genital HSV 1 shed virus in absence of symptoms.
As HSV 1 is very common i don't think there will be much problem. Avoid sexual contacts while having symptoms.
Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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