Spreading HSV1 to genitals?

[hindsight]

Can someone who has HSV1, has only had one oral outbreak and no genital outbreaks, have their genitals infected through intercourse with someone else who has HSV1 on their genitals?

 

[Km_girl]

What an interesting question.Theoretically, if you already have Hsv1, you have antibodies against it and should not get the virus elsewhere in the body. 

Another point is that a person who has oral herpes should not be concerned about having oral sex on someone who has genital hsv1, because the person will not reinfect. You can't get the same virus twice in the same place, because it's already there.

As for receiving oral sex from someone who has genital herpes, it's perfectly fine, as transmission occurs through the genitals rather than the mouth. If the recipient does not have genital herpes, there is no risk of getting herpes that way for both of you.

Whoever has genital Hsv1 sheds much less virus, making transmission unlikely anyway. I believe that especially for those who already have Hsv1 on account of the antibodies. But I don't know if we can say that the risk of having genital herpes from hsv1 is zero when they already have it orally. From the information we have, it seems safe, but only a doctor can give you certainty. 

It is hard to say that the risk would be zero. I hope someone else answers. It's an interesting discussion.

[Flowerteacher55]

Hello! 

As @Km_girl said, it is extremely unlikely to contract the same virus in two different locations on the body (unless you contracted both at the same time). If you already have HSV-1 somewhere on the body, such as orally, it is very very unlikely you would contract HSV-1 genitally from someone with genital or oral HSV-1 (from intimacy or receiving oral sex).

Although unlikely, the risk isn't 0%, so of course, it's still important to take precautions. caution. If someone has an active outbreak, avoid contact with that area or avoid intimacy all together, for their comfort (outbreaks hurt) and for your comfort and peace of mind, too. If someone has a new HSV-1 infection of newer than 12 weeks, they most likely have not yet built up the antibody amounts needed that protect from reinfection at another location on the body.

Also, likelihood of contracting it can increase especially if someone has an autoimmune disorder that prevents them from maintaining or building sufficient antibodies to prevent reinfection. 

Remember, you can still contract HSV-2 orally or genitally as well (although rare to have both types in the same location). 

I hope this helps!

Stay kind to yourself! 🌻

Blessings,

Grace

[hindsight]

Thank you both for the reply