What Are The Chances Of Contacting Herpes Infection Through Cold Sores?

Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015

Question: my husband gets cold sores every year during the summer when he goes fishing, when we have sex he is very hands on, could I contact the herpes vviris throught this kind of contact.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Kissing can transmit HSV 1 infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
There are possibilities for the cold sores can get transmitted during sexual intimacy, especially with kissing even in the absence of any fresh lesions due to viral shedding.
Dr S Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 minutes later)

we do not have oral sex, he just likes to use his hands when fondling in intimate way. I worry that he may have just touched a cold sore before doing this.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
unlikely to get infected during fondling

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Welcome back
Having touched the lesions and fondling with same hand have no risk factor for HSV infection as it has a predilection for mucus membrane rather than skin. It will not viable in the outside environment.
Dr S Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (8 hours later)

if you wanted to be tested, can the results be keep private and requested not to be put in information other physicians can see?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Laboratory results would be kept confidential in any standard lab.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

Usually in any laboratory, the results of any test would not be revealed to none other than the requesting physician. Not to worry about get tested. Dr S.Murugan

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

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