Oral HSV-2 Transmission Through Saliva

[HSV2 ORAL]

Hi Terri,

I was recently diagnosed with oral HSV-2 after having oral sex. (We did not have anal or vaginal).

In the period between my diagnosis and the encounter, I masturbated using saliva as lube. I have twice been tested since then, and the antibodies came back negative.

Could I have spread HSV-2 from my mouth to genitals? Should I avoid this behavior?

Thank you, I really appreciate you time.

[Terri Warren]

HSV 2 oral infection is rare, but not impossible, so you are an unusual person here.
I think it is highly unlikely that you transmitted HSV 2 from your mouth to your own genital.
So just to understand, you gave someone oral sex and got lesions on your mouth and they were swab test positive for HSV 2, is that correct?

Terri

[HSV2 ORAL]

Thank you for your response! I gave and received oral sex, but nothing more. I had bumps on my tounge that I got swabbed and they came positive, but my antibody tests (two of them) have come back negative, so the two doctors said it’s only oral. There has been no genital lesions to swab.

Also, I am taking daily valtrex and am unsure if I should kiss my partner or wait a period first.

[Terri Warren]

So you said the swab test came back positive for HSV 2 – so typing was done of the sample and it was HSV 2 positive from you tongue, is that what you are saying? Did you recently have a partner that is HSV 2 positive or could this be a long standing infection? Have you had previous negative IgG tests for HSV 2?

Terri

[HSV2 ORAL]

Yes.

I have been unable to contact the partner I had the encounter with, but I had a negative test prior to the encounter and then began having symptoms 3-4 days afterwards, so it is likely a new infection right?

[Terri Warren]

well, probably, you had a negative IgG test shortly before giving oral sex to them, yes?
I’ve not see HSV 2 orally present only as bumps on the tongue, but clearly it can happen.

The good news is that oral HSV 2 rarely recurs and essentially protects you against genital infection.

If it were me, given how rare HSV 2 oral infection is, I would be tempted, down the road a ways, to do another IgG test and just see what you get. Not absolutely necessary but I would, just as a matter of curiosity.

Terri

[HSV2 ORAL]

Not shortly before, but I didnt have any partners in between the negative test and that encounter.

Alright that is great! Is there a period that I should wait before this genital protection builds up?

Also, prior to my diagnosis, I made out with my current partner, I assume she should get tested too? Should I wait a certain period before kissing her?

[Terri Warren]

About 3-4 months.
well, HSV 2 orally is rarely shed, but you might want to discuss this with her. She may wish to be tested. I’m assuming this is a different partner than the one to whom you gave oral sex and got infected?

Terri

[HSV2 ORAL]

Alright thank you. And yes I have discussed with her. This is a different partner. Do you know how long until my antibodies will have been built up to protect me from GHSV2?

[Terri Warren]

3-4 months

Terri

[Author]

Posts