Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Genital herpes is a disease caused by the
herpes simplex virus (HSV).
HSV is of two types:
1. Type 1 (
HSV-1), which usually causes oral herpes in the form of infection of the lips and mouth. Symptoms are commonly known as
cold sores or
fever blisters.
In the past, HSV-1 was not known to cause genital herpes, but that is changing, especially among people who begin having sex at a young age. 2. Type 2 (
HSV-2), which, in most cases, causes genital herpes.
HSV-1 is usually passed from person to person by kissing. HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals during
oral sex. If infection occurs, it becomes a case of genital herpes.
HSV-2 is most often passed by vaginal sex and anal sex. But just as HSV-1 can infect the genitals and cause genital herpes, HSV-2 can pass from one person's genitals to another person's mouth, resulting in oral herpes.
Hence, HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the genitals through oral/genital sex and about 40% of genital herpes is caused by HSV-1.
It would be advisable not to have oral sex at this stage as it carries a risk for transmission of infection.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.