HSV1 F-F transmission

[quercus]

I’m a nonmonogamous 44yo female in a primary relationship with a male. I also date women. I’ve read the Herpes Handbook and am pretty well informed, but I’d like confirmation of my understanding of some transmission risks.

I have HSV1 orally (for as long as I can remember). I’m currently dating two women who have HSV1 genitally. One was diagnosed 15 years ago, only ever had a primary outbreak, and has had confirmatory type testing recently (IgG). I’m dating her and her male partner together – he has HSV1 orally. The other was diagnosed two months ago, and says “both planned parenthood and the testing I had done separately confirmed that I have HSV1”. I’m reasonably confident that both are correct that they have HSV1 and not HSV2 – am I right to be confident about that? There’s my first question.

And then, transmission risk. How concerned should I be about the risk of acquiring genital HSV1 from these partners? Through oral sex, touching with hands, use of sex toys (cleaned between partners), or intercourse (with condoms) with the male partner of the one? Given that I already have HSV1 orally?

I believe the risk is extremely low ~ but I’d like confirmation, for the peace of mind of myself and my other partners.

Thanks so much for your work here! It really is incredibly helpful.

[Terri Warren]

You are correct that the risk is very low that you would get HSV 1 in a new location after having a well-established oral infection. If it was me, I wouldn’t give this a second thought. Is it zero? No, I’ve seen one case of it happening in 40 years of practice.

The Planned Parenthood testing should be accurate yes.

Terri

[Author]

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