Can someone with oral HSV-1 also get oral HSV-2?

[mollyb]

Hi Terri,

Thank you so much for answering specific questions. I’ve been combing the Internet and PubMed and have found no definitive answers.

Fairly recently I contracted HSV-2 from someone who lied about his status (he’s a doctor, and a long time friend, to say I was shocked is an understatement). I had a 4 week long primary outbreak, very uncomfortable, and am sorting out how to proceed. It changes everything; sex was life affirming, a source of joy and renewal. Now I don’t know how it’s going to be.

I’m considering getting involved someone who has had oral HSV-1 for years. We’re okay at the prospect of using condoms for regular genital sex, avoiding sex during outbreaks, and I’m probably willing to go on antiviral therapy depending on the potential side effects of antivirals, which is a related, probably follow up question. My primary question has to do with oral sex. What are the odds of my giving him oral HSV-2 since he has a prior oral HSV-1 infection? Do you happen to know how antivirals affect those chances? I don’t want to pass this on.

Thanks again for your help.

[Terri Warren]

Do you mean what are the odds of him giving you oral sex and getting your HSV 2? We don’t have statistics on that but if he did, it would look just like a cold sore and without a type specific swab test, he could not know that this is HSV 2. If you decide to take antiviral therapy, the overall risk of shedding virus is reduced so it should help with this situation as well as intercourse. What specific concerns do you have about antiviral therapy?

Did your doctor friend know he had herpes before he had sex with you? Did you read about the $900,000 settlement in the Portland, OR case? Its just not OK not to disclose this information any more.

Terri

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