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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Sex While Suffering With Cold Sores Causes Genital Herpes To Partner?

I frequently get cold sores and take Acyclovir 400mg in order to increase healing speed. My cold sore is currently scabbed and nearly unnoticeable (except by myself due to the discomfort). My wife asked me to perform oral sex, but I am hesitant to do it because of the chance of her contracting Genital Herpes. Is my cold sore still at a high risk of transmitting the virus, or should I be okay due to it's late stage of healing?

Thanks, CN
Tue, 2 Dec 2014
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

Herpes type 1 virus typically causes cold sores. It presents as fluid filled lesions on or around the labial mucosa. The virus is usually transmitted by close contact with oral or genital mucosa.
The chances of transmitting the virus through oral sex are more during an active episode of cold sores as compared to when the virus is quiescent as the virus is being shed from time to time from the labial mucosa and may still be transmitted even if you do not have active sores
Therefore the risk of giving the virus to her through oral sex is less but not Zero.

Regards
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Could Sex While Suffering With Cold Sores Causes Genital Herpes To Partner?

Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic Herpes type 1 virus typically causes cold sores. It presents as fluid filled lesions on or around the labial mucosa. The virus is usually transmitted by close contact with oral or genital mucosa. The chances of transmitting the virus through oral sex are more during an active episode of cold sores as compared to when the virus is quiescent as the virus is being shed from time to time from the labial mucosa and may still be transmitted even if you do not have active sores Therefore the risk of giving the virus to her through oral sex is less but not Zero. Regards