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Can Herpes Be Contracted Through Non-penetrative Intercourse?
Question: Hi,
Is it possible to not infect your partner by abstaining from oral sex and having only protected vaginal sex during asymptomatic oral herpes ?
I never had any outbreak yet in 1 year. So I only worry about my partner about virus transmission. I want my partner safe so I have given up oral sex and intimate kissing (except simple lip kiss) and will have only protected vaginal sex.
is that enough to prevent herpes transmission to my partner ?
Is it possible to not infect your partner by abstaining from oral sex and having only protected vaginal sex during asymptomatic oral herpes ?
I never had any outbreak yet in 1 year. So I only worry about my partner about virus transmission. I want my partner safe so I have given up oral sex and intimate kissing (except simple lip kiss) and will have only protected vaginal sex.
is that enough to prevent herpes transmission to my partner ?
Brief Answer:
Avoid sex and close contact when you have symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx22,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Herpes infection cannot be controlled and if a person gets infected then there will be times when there are outbreaks and during this time there is increased tendency of transmitting the infection.
2. In asymptomatic patients, there can be transmission of herpes virus but this will not always occur.
3. Herpes virus transmission depends on the viral load and any exchange of fluid. Therefore if there is an outbreak then the fluid in rashes coming in contact with your partner even by touching can transmit the infection.
4. The transmission of herpes in asymptomatic patients is a matter of chance and rarely it can get transmitted unknowingly in non sexual route like simple kissing. Intimate kissing carries a higher risk of transmission. Even protected vaginal intercourse cannot always decrease herpes transmission. However in protected sex and simple kissing the risk of transmission is less.
5. Herpes is a common condition and you should not get afraid about it. The best solution is to avoid sex and close contact with your partner when you have symptoms. There is no completely safe way other than not having sex or close contact.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Avoid sex and close contact when you have symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx22,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Herpes infection cannot be controlled and if a person gets infected then there will be times when there are outbreaks and during this time there is increased tendency of transmitting the infection.
2. In asymptomatic patients, there can be transmission of herpes virus but this will not always occur.
3. Herpes virus transmission depends on the viral load and any exchange of fluid. Therefore if there is an outbreak then the fluid in rashes coming in contact with your partner even by touching can transmit the infection.
4. The transmission of herpes in asymptomatic patients is a matter of chance and rarely it can get transmitted unknowingly in non sexual route like simple kissing. Intimate kissing carries a higher risk of transmission. Even protected vaginal intercourse cannot always decrease herpes transmission. However in protected sex and simple kissing the risk of transmission is less.
5. Herpes is a common condition and you should not get afraid about it. The best solution is to avoid sex and close contact with your partner when you have symptoms. There is no completely safe way other than not having sex or close contact.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your great reply.
So to furture reduce the transmission should i take medication during asymptomatic HSV1 or oral herpe wheneve i wanted to have protected sex.
My only concern is to have unprotected sex couple of times only for children during asymptomatic oral herpe.
So do you recommend medication during no outbreak when i want to have unprotected sex .
I feel very ashamed of myself to talk about this to my XXXXXXX parents.
So to furture reduce the transmission should i take medication during asymptomatic HSV1 or oral herpe wheneve i wanted to have protected sex.
My only concern is to have unprotected sex couple of times only for children during asymptomatic oral herpe.
So do you recommend medication during no outbreak when i want to have unprotected sex .
I feel very ashamed of myself to talk about this to my XXXXXXX parents.
Brief Answer:
Herpes is a common infection and outbreaks are to be prevented
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx22,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. There is nothing wrong in being herpes positive and 1 in five people are having herpes.
2. If you are asymptomatic then there is no need of medicines and it will not help you in any way.
3. Medicines should be given during outbreak to decrease symptoms and control rashes.
4. You can get herpes antibodies tested to know if you are having any chances of active infection that can be transmitted.
5. You can have unprotected sex if your antibody level is low which means there is less risk of infection transmission. Considering pregnancy and herpes, it is transmitted only if the infected mother has outbreak and the child is delivered normally.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Herpes is a common infection and outbreaks are to be prevented
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx22,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. There is nothing wrong in being herpes positive and 1 in five people are having herpes.
2. If you are asymptomatic then there is no need of medicines and it will not help you in any way.
3. Medicines should be given during outbreak to decrease symptoms and control rashes.
4. You can get herpes antibodies tested to know if you are having any chances of active infection that can be transmitted.
5. You can have unprotected sex if your antibody level is low which means there is less risk of infection transmission. Considering pregnancy and herpes, it is transmitted only if the infected mother has outbreak and the child is delivered normally.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again for your helpful answer
I had done herpe type specific igg test and it detected antibodies but when i asked doctor about report antibody number then they said its not relavent and this test only shows positive or negative.
Test showed HSV 1 >5.00H
Which test should i take to find about antibodies ?
How regularly i should ake that test ?
I had done herpe type specific igg test and it detected antibodies but when i asked doctor about report antibody number then they said its not relavent and this test only shows positive or negative.
Test showed HSV 1 >5.00H
Which test should i take to find about antibodies ?
How regularly i should ake that test ?
Brief Answer:
IgM level will show any recent infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx22,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The IgM antibody test is recommended for any recent infection. The test you did was to know if you had been infected by HSV1 any time. If your test is low for IgM then subsequent test is not usually required.
2. Viral load test for HSV1 is not usually recommended.
3. HSV1 causes lesions in the mouth but rarely can affect genital region.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
IgM level will show any recent infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx22,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The IgM antibody test is recommended for any recent infection. The test you did was to know if you had been infected by HSV1 any time. If your test is low for IgM then subsequent test is not usually required.
2. Viral load test for HSV1 is not usually recommended.
3. HSV1 causes lesions in the mouth but rarely can affect genital region.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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