Fresh out of relationship I got hsv 1 in...only seen symptoms genitally, but could I have it orally?

[Phoenix]

I just got out of a long term relationship where I acquired hsv1 genitally. I've never seen any cold sores orally, but I'm wondering how safe it is to assume I don't have it orally (since I've heard people can have it without symptoms). The last thing I want to do is pass it to someone after thinking I don't have it orally, only to find out I just never had symptoms.

 

Do you use protection for both oral and regular sex regardless of where you've seen the herpes show up?

[WCSDancer2010]

@Phoenix

 

Hello and Welcome!

 

Sadly, there's no way to know if you already had it orally ... but usually once you have it in one place, it's less likely you will get it somewhere else because you already have the antibodies to protect you. So given you never had an outbreak on your mouth, I would say assume you didn't have it, but be careful about any oral encounters if you have any kind of sores/blisters/pimples right on the edge of the lip (where H usually shows up)...

 

I have H1 orally and H2 genitally and I don't use protection when giving oral. 80% of the population has HSV1 orally so anyone who kisses or has oral sex on a regular basis has likely been exposed to it one way or the other plenty of times.

 

http://projectaccept.org/who-gets-hsv/

 

Handouts + disclosure e-book:

https://www.herpesopportunity.com/lp/ebook

Herpes facts video