HSV Transmission via spooning/neck kissing?

[confusedandfreakedout]

Hi Terri,

Hope you’re well. Was wondering if it was possible to get HSV-1 from kissing someone’s neck, hands, arms, chest, stomach, or back or otherwise cuddling/spooning overnight.

I know it’s an odd question, but I have a strange sort of friends-with-benefits situation with a girl I care about who I know has HSV-1 though her outbreaks are infrequent. I also fully understand that HSV-1 is pretty common anyway, and also understand there is a chance I already have it even though I’ve never had any cold sores before.

Anyway, this girl sometimes sleeps over and we often end up doing a lot of cuddling and, I guess for lack of a better word, dry-humping, but always with clothes on.

We also often kiss or rub our noses/lips on parts of each other’s upper bodies – like the neck, chest, etc. but we have NEVER kissed on the lips or had an open mouth kiss of any kind. I know this probably sounds really bizarre, but think this is our unspoken way of keeping things casual and not ruining the friendship.

Was curious about the possibility of transmission of HSV-1 in a situation like this.

I’m assuming the possibility of transmitting HSV-2 in a situation where everyone is still always clothed is probably highly unlikely, and I have no reason to assume she has HSV-2 though we’ve never spoken about it.

Thanks so much for your help!

[confusedandfreakedout]

Also, sorry, to clarify, we sometimes take off shirts but never pants. Again, I know this must sound strange, but thanks for bearing with me.

[Terri Warren]

Nothing sounds strange here. No worries.
None of the activities that you describe here have any risk whatsoever of transmitting HSV 1.

Terri

[Author]

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