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Question:
I have been diagnosed with genital herpes. Can I perform oral sex on my boyfriend
without risk of infecting him?
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Answer:
by Georgan Gregg: ()
Your mouth on his penis (oral sex) would by itself not transmit genital herpes. Genital herpes is transmitted skin to skin, meaning that the lesions on or near your genitals would infect skin on or near his genitals. Herpes can’t be totally prevented by using latex condoms because lesions can be present in areas that the condom doesn’t provide a barrier.
Although herpes can be a serious health issue for some, most experience discomfort & annoyance. You both need to be learning all you can about genital herpes. Herpes simplex virus can be type 1 (HSV 1) or 2 (HSV 2), but it's still called genital herpes if the lesion is on the genitals. The skin disease HSV 1 usually shows up as cold sores or fever blisters on the lips, face and mouth, while HSV 2 is usually below the waist. However, there is some crossover. You may never have another outbreak after the initial outbreak, but you will still have genital herpes. It's highly probable to produce virus even when there are no symptoms at all, which means you would still be contagious even without symptoms. This is called "asymptomatic shedding."
I recommend that you both learn all you can by phoning the National Herpes Hotline from 9am-7pm Eastern Time M-F at 919/361-8488 (NOT a toll free call, but the best source), followed up by written information they can offer. Next, check out the Herpes Web ring. After learning all the facts, you can gain support and empathy by using the same site to contact others with herpes.
Let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Reviewed by: Patricia Fawver Ph.D. in Sexology
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