Reply To: Genital HSV1 – safe to give oral sex?

[Terri Warren]

It is not possible to acquire genital HSV 1 by receiving oral sex from someone who has genital HSV 1, no. The part of the body that is infected needs to come into contact with a part of someone else’s body who is not infected. But I would ask you – have you ever been tested for HSV antibody or have you ever had a cold sore on your lip or in your mouth? Fifty sex percent of the US population between the ages of 14 and 49 have HSV 1 infection so you may well be infected and not know it. If you do have HSV 1 already then her HSV 1 is not a concern for you.

Terri