My partner and I both have HSV2

[Myfearcametrue]

So I recently found out that I have HSV-2 and my boyfriend has it as well. He unknowingly gave it to me and realized he got it from a girl before me. My question is, is it okay to engage in oral sex if there is no sign of an outbreak? 

[mr_hopp]

Great question! As far as I know, the short answer is yes, but with a few caveats:

• Obviously refrain from oral sex if an outbreak is happening or feels like one might be coming on (prodrome symptoms). Spreading HSV-2 orally is very rare (only 1-2% of all oral herpes is HSV-2; 98-99% is HSV-1)
• If it's been recent that you have gotten herpes, then it takes about a year or so before your body will build up natural immunity (antibodies) to help protect herpes from spreading. So even though it's rare to spread HSV-2 orally, be extra careful within this year window.

Here's a clip from an interview I had with Dr. Peter Leone where someone asked him point blank about herpes and oral sex: