Can HSV Be Transmitted Through Oral Sex?

Posted on Fri, 29 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 Answered on

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hsv2 result <.91. This means?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 minute later)

Hello.

Means negative.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (19 minutes later)

So im not bordeline or likely to turn positive later?...unless i expose myself of course.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

In a commonly used screening test for herpes screening, an index value <0.9 is negative, 0.9 -1.1 is borderline and >1.1 is considered positive.

What was your test value? if the value for IgG, HSV type 2 was < 0.9 and you have had no exposure to HSV type 2 infection in the past 3-4 months then you are negative unless you are exposed to HSV 2 infection in future.

Hope this answers your query
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (42 minutes later)

I have a partner i had unprotected sex with vaginally and orally, 5weeks ago. Four days ago she told me she was tested due to an outbreak. She has hsv2.

I tested a couple days. My results came back today. <.91 hsv2. >60 HSV1. I already knew i had HSV1. Could i have given her herpes orally with HSV1?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding HSV transmission

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Yes, you can transmit HSV type 1 to her orally despite she already having HSV type 2. She can transmit HSV type 2 through unprotected vaginal sex as well as through receptive oral sex.

One type of HSV doesn't protect against infection with another type of HSV though this infection may go unnoticed or milder - non-primary first episode.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee