Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
If I Have Hsv1 Or Hsv2 Should I Wear A
Brief Answer:
Avoid sexual activities during clinical manifestations.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ASK A DOCTOR through HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Your questions are valid definitely. But in these regards, there is no clearcut guidelines.
There is likelihood of viral shedding even in the abscence of clinical symptoms of either HSV 1 and 2 especially few days before and after a clinical episode. That cannot be clearly defined.
This is same with that for HSV 1 infection and kissing.
But in our day today practice this sort of transmission in the abscence of symptoms are not met with quite often.
The protection offered by Condoms with regards to HSV infection are also not 100% safe. The condoms may reduce the chances of protection that is all. At the same time I can assure many couples with HSV infection are living without any problem. Moreover HSV is not a life threatening infection.
Only advice I can give with surety is avoid any sort of sexual activities in the presence any manifestations.
Not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan.
Avoid sexual activities during clinical manifestations.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ASK A DOCTOR through HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Your questions are valid definitely. But in these regards, there is no clearcut guidelines.
There is likelihood of viral shedding even in the abscence of clinical symptoms of either HSV 1 and 2 especially few days before and after a clinical episode. That cannot be clearly defined.
This is same with that for HSV 1 infection and kissing.
But in our day today practice this sort of transmission in the abscence of symptoms are not met with quite often.
The protection offered by Condoms with regards to HSV infection are also not 100% safe. The condoms may reduce the chances of protection that is all. At the same time I can assure many couples with HSV infection are living without any problem. Moreover HSV is not a life threatening infection.
Only advice I can give with surety is avoid any sort of sexual activities in the presence any manifestations.
Not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dear Dr S XXXXXXX
Thanks for your reply. a few other questions, I will number them....
"But in our day today practice this sort of transmission in the abscence of symptoms are not met with quite often."
1. to clarify, by this you mean, it is possible but unlikely that it is transmitted with absence of symptoms ?
2. I only had symptoms once in my life. I got tested later , via blood test, a while after symptoms had disappeared, and it was positive for HSV (but didn't specify if 1 or 2)
I heard there could also be a false positive. should I get tested again ?
or to know if it's 1 or 2?
3.
can it pass from genitals to mouth via oral sex ?
4.
I guess it's more of an ethical question too, if should wear condoms just in case .......
(if wearing condoms during oral sex, I'll assume the question to #3 was yes, it can pass from genitals to oral )
5. so yea I'm more concerned with the ethical questions, such as,
would it be advisable to always let the sexual partner know that I have it ?
Thank you
Thanks for your reply. a few other questions, I will number them....
"But in our day today practice this sort of transmission in the abscence of symptoms are not met with quite often."
1. to clarify, by this you mean, it is possible but unlikely that it is transmitted with absence of symptoms ?
2. I only had symptoms once in my life. I got tested later , via blood test, a while after symptoms had disappeared, and it was positive for HSV (but didn't specify if 1 or 2)
I heard there could also be a false positive. should I get tested again ?
or to know if it's 1 or 2?
3.
can it pass from genitals to mouth via oral sex ?
4.
I guess it's more of an ethical question too, if should wear condoms just in case .......
(if wearing condoms during oral sex, I'll assume the question to #3 was yes, it can pass from genitals to oral )
5. so yea I'm more concerned with the ethical questions, such as,
would it be advisable to always let the sexual partner know that I have it ?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
When you are not having symptoms, forget and relax
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. Yes it is possible, but we are not coming across such transmission through kissing or oral sex in our patients in these 35 years of practice.
2. Very few patients will not have any recurrence. You are the one among that fortunate people..So not to worry. HSV Positive for HSV igG indicates an old infection, not necessarily indicate an active infection. Repeating the test has not much value.
3. HSV 2 infecion can not be transmitted from genitals to mouth but HSV 1 can, but it is rare.
4. Better, than not wearing.
5. It is up to you to reveal your status or remain without revealling status and abstain from sex... depends upon your spouse understanding and adjustment. You know her better..
DR S.Murugan
When you are not having symptoms, forget and relax
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. Yes it is possible, but we are not coming across such transmission through kissing or oral sex in our patients in these 35 years of practice.
2. Very few patients will not have any recurrence. You are the one among that fortunate people..So not to worry. HSV Positive for HSV igG indicates an old infection, not necessarily indicate an active infection. Repeating the test has not much value.
3. HSV 2 infecion can not be transmitted from genitals to mouth but HSV 1 can, but it is rare.
4. Better, than not wearing.
5. It is up to you to reveal your status or remain without revealling status and abstain from sex... depends upon your spouse understanding and adjustment. You know her better..
DR S.Murugan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
