Is it possible to catch HSV2 on your mouth?

[Sunshine11]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if a person already has GHSV2, what would be the likelihood or is it even possible to catch HSV2 on their mouth if that person performs oral sex on someone who has GHSV2?  
Thank you!  

[Flowerteacher55]

Hi!!

This is an amazing question!

I know for HSV-1, someone with it orally is unlikely to get it genitally, but I am unsure about HSV-2. I am not a doctor, but based off some research and knowledge...

Logically, because your body already has the antibodies for HSV-2, it is unlikely that you would catch the HSV-2 orally. However, there is always a possibility, but it is very low. If the person is having an active outbreak or prodrome symptoms, I recommend abstaining from oral sex and sex overall because the likelihood of catching it orally would probably increase, and having sex with sores can be painful and the friction can cause the virus to shed more and cause more sores. I'm not a doctor, but I would say play it safe and just abstain during outbreaks!

Something interesting is that getting HSV-2 at two sites on the body typically would only occur during the first outbreak (when you contracted herpes). According to John Hopkins Medicine, having oral and genital HSV-2 could occur if the person who didn't have herpes had oral and genital sex with the infected person. Because the person who didn't have HSV-2 came into contact with the herpes orally and genitally, they can contract the virus in both places because they didn't have antibodies at all. So, the fact that you do have antibodies means the likelihood of contracting it orally would be low!

If you are worried, contact your doctor or OBGYN! Or even calling Planned Parenthood or health clinic can help! I call my college campus clinic and they are really helpful with all these types of questions. 

Blessings!🥰