Does Genital Herpes Spread Through Saliva?

Posted on Sun, 6 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 6 Sep 2015 Answered on

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : If someone has genital herpes and performs oral sex on someone can they pass on the hvs two virus through their saliva? Does the hvs two virus live in saliva?

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,hepers can be spread through saliva.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,

I have read your query and understand the concern.

Herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

There are two types.

Type 1 (HSV-1) usually causes oral herpes (infection of the lips and mouth).

Type 2 (HSV-2) genital herpes is caused by the second type of herpes virus.

Yes,herpes virus may live in saliva of the person.

HSV-1 is usually transmitted from person to person by kissing.
HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex. If this happens, it becomes a case of genital herpes.

HSV-2 is most often passed by vaginal sex and anal sex.
HSV-2 can pass from one person's genitals to another person's mouth, resulting in oral herpes.

Hope this answer was helpful.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (3 hours later)

Does HSV II live in saliva?

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the quick follow-up.

Yes,the herpes type 2 virus live in saliva.

As I said earlier, person may get infected from another person's genital herpes to his mouth by doing oral sex and it becomes oral herpes.

Hope it will clear now.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (2 hours later)

Final question, so if I have genital herpes and I perform oral sex on my partner can I pass on the genital herpes to him?

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As we discussed, it is quite possible to pass herpes from oral sex.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D