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Dating Tips Advice Column:
Can Herpes HSV-1 Be Transferred
During Oral Sex?
Dear Dating Tips,
My girlfriend has HSV-1 and was told that the
virus is transferred by kissing and not oral sex. What
are the facts surrounding this? ~
Anonymously Concerned
Dear Anonymously Concerned,
According to the CDC:
"HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found and released from the
sores that the viruses cause, but they also are released
between episodes from skin that does not appear to
be broken or to have a sore. A person almost always
gets HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone
who has a genital HSV-2 infection. HSV-1 causes infections
of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." A
person can get HSV-1 by coming into contact with the
saliva of an infected person. HSV-1 infection of the
genitals almost always is caused by oral-genital sexual
contact with a person who has the oral HSV-1 infection."
So not only can HSV-1 be transferred to the genitals,
but it's also important to note that HSV-1 can be transferred
even to the mouth when sores are not present (although
these seem to be rare).
When dating, it is vitally important that you research
various STDs, what causes them, how they are transferred,
and how to take preventative measures from catching
an STD. I applaud you for asking this question.
We have received several inquiries
about STDs and dating to the point that Online Dating
Magazine is preparing a new informative and detailed
STD
Guide for publication.
You can expect to see this guide within the next couple
of weeks and I'll edit this answer to link to it once
it is complete. ~
The Dating Tipster
Edit: On January 1, 2004, Online
Dating Magazine officially opened the STD
Information Center. The
above question, submitted before the center opened,
also appears there.
If you have a question for The Dating Tipster,
simply email your question to datingtips@onlinedatingmagazine.com.
Most questions are answered within 48 hours and your
privacy details (i.e. email address) are always kept
confidential and never used for any other purpose).
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