Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Do Cold Sores On Upper Lips Trigger Infection When Diagnosed With Herpes 1 And 2?
Question: My wife and I have Herpes 1 & 2
Yesterday she gave me oral sex for about 30 minutes
also we did french kiss a bit as well.
She has a cold sore on her upper lips .
How does that effect me since I have the same thing ?
will I get a break out or will I get reinfected ? Can you explain the risks ?
Yesterday she gave me oral sex for about 30 minutes
also we did french kiss a bit as well.
She has a cold sore on her upper lips .
How does that effect me since I have the same thing ?
will I get a break out or will I get reinfected ? Can you explain the risks ?
Brief Answer:
Active sores increases risk; Immunity is not protective against new inf'n
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to us.
I have taken note of your query and I am pleased to help you regarding that.
Active herpes i.e cold sore is associated with increased viral shedding and therefore greater risk of transmission of herpes as compared to that during asymptomatic phases and moreover presence of an old herpes infection does not protect against re-infection either with the same type Or a different type of Hsv
Therefore, even if it is reinfection with a particular Hsv type, it can precipitate a fresh clinical epsiode. A new infection with a different Hsv type, of course can.
Traditionally, Hsv-2 is native to genitalia and Hsv-1 to oral mucosa, therefore, it is easier to Hsv-2 to establish in genitalia than it is for Hsv-1 and vice versa for oral mucosa.
Consequently, if your wife has Hsv-1 induced cold sore it is more likely that Hsv-1 from cold sore would be passed on to your oral mucosa (through kissing) than to your genital mucosa. Though, it can to either site.
Therefore, even if both the partners are infected with herpes it is a good idea to use a protection.
Regards
Active sores increases risk; Immunity is not protective against new inf'n
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to us.
I have taken note of your query and I am pleased to help you regarding that.
Active herpes i.e cold sore is associated with increased viral shedding and therefore greater risk of transmission of herpes as compared to that during asymptomatic phases and moreover presence of an old herpes infection does not protect against re-infection either with the same type Or a different type of Hsv
Therefore, even if it is reinfection with a particular Hsv type, it can precipitate a fresh clinical epsiode. A new infection with a different Hsv type, of course can.
Traditionally, Hsv-2 is native to genitalia and Hsv-1 to oral mucosa, therefore, it is easier to Hsv-2 to establish in genitalia than it is for Hsv-1 and vice versa for oral mucosa.
Consequently, if your wife has Hsv-1 induced cold sore it is more likely that Hsv-1 from cold sore would be passed on to your oral mucosa (through kissing) than to your genital mucosa. Though, it can to either site.
Therefore, even if both the partners are infected with herpes it is a good idea to use a protection.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
