Is it possible to pass herpes back and forth?
Posted on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 at 9:24 AMI have had cold sores for years and believe I have given my partner genital hsv 1 thru oral sex (when no symptoms present) and than caught it back from him (genitally).
It is possible to pass herpes to your partner via oral sex. That’s how a lot of people wind up contracting genital HSV-1.
You can not contract HSV-1 over and over again the way that you described. In other words, you don’t keep passing the virus back and forth.
He has had no symptoms.
Not everybody that has herpes will get symptoms that they can see OR feel. That is why testing specifically for herpes in routine std testing is so important. But, you have to be carefully because not all facilities will automatically test for herpes during the routine STD testing process which is why you have to be proactive and ask for one.
I have been diagnosed positive for HSV1 but negative for HSV2. He has been diagnosed positive for HSV also.
Since you have a history of coldsores then it’s safe to say that your herpes is probably oral herpes type-1. You say that your partner tested positive for herpes but you don’t mention if he has HSV-1, HSV-2, OR both.
My question is: Is this possible?
People are either going to have herpes OR they won’t have herpes. Type specific herpes antibody testing will tell you if you have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all.
I’m not sure what you mean when you ask if proper testing is possible. Maybe you can leave an anonymous comment to this blog post clarifying what you meant.
Some sites say this is not possible because I would have had antibodies to the strain and would not have caught it back genitally.
Ok, now I know what you meant by your question as to if “it” was possible OR not.
You don’t pass herpes back and forth the way that you described in the beginning of your question. Once you contract herpes you keep it. It’s possible to have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all.
Also if we are both positive now do we have to use protection still?
That depends on the two of you and what your status is. I think it’s probably a good idea for your partner to be fully aware of his status and type, etc. I know lots of couples that have herpes together don’t use protection. I also know of couples where one has it and the other doesn’t and they don’t use protection. It just depends on the couple, what they want to do, and the ultimate goal.
If you are trying to keep an uninfected partner from contracting herpes then not only is it a good idea to use condoms but it’s also a good idea for the person that has herpes to be on suppressive therapy. Suppressive therapy is said to reduce transmission by about 50%. You add condoms to that mix and that’s pretty good protection.
Also I had unknowingly had a very small lesion and had unprotected sex with my already infected asymptomatic partner, could this cause him to now have symptoms or now cause worse outbreaks in the future for me? Thanks. – N
Like I said, you just have to figure out if he has HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all. Knowing the location of the virus is helpful as well. As far as passing it back and forth goes.. that’s not likely.
Does everyone have the ability to pass herpes after being infected or is it possible to not pass it on at all? Also, is there a way to tell what partner was infected first and who gave it to who?
A person with herpes can only pass the virus under the perfect circumstances.
The virus would actually have to be active on the surface of the skin.
Keep in mind that not everybody that has herpes will get signs or symptoms so we can’t always know when there is viral activity.
But no, people with herpes are not 100% contagious all the time.
Once you contract herpes you keep it.
People can transmit herpes through oral sex, sex, vaginal sex, and kissing.
It’s important to make sure that you are asking specifically to be tested for herpes when you go in for routine STD testing because it’s not always included in the routine STD testing processes.
Good Luck and I hope that answers your questions that you have about this. Feel free to ask more if you want to.
One more thing.. once you develop antibodies there is no way to tell which partner you contracted it from.
Hope that helps.
I have been tested ever paps smear before, and never been shown to have an STD.If I tested positve for herpes when I was pregnant. How do I know if my partner gave it to me/
Pap tests don’t really test for STD’s. Now the thin prep pap test can detect HPV but other than that a pap test just looks for those cell changes.
The best way to be tested for STD’s would be to have routine STD testing done as described on Herpes HELP, etc. Make sure you take a close look because not all STD’s are always included in the routine STD testing process. So read that page all the way through.
I think you need to find out what your status is and have your partner get tested so that you will both know where you stand.
I hope that helps…
Hi Angela! Great site! I just wanted to know, if you already have genital herpes, can you contract oral herpes as well?
Yes, it’s possible. There are people out there that have both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Usually those that have both wind up having Oral HSV-1 (aka: coldsores & fever blisters) and Genital HSV-2.
i apologize if my question seems ridiculous but i was wondering if i had hsv-1 with a visible cold sore and kissed my girlfriend and then she performed oral sex on me within 30 minutes after kissing me is it possible that the virus will spread to my genitalia? or am i just being really paranoid? any help would be appreciated
Who said your question was ridiculous? Usually people that have both HSV-1 and HSV-2 wind up with Genital HSV-2 and Oral HSV-1. Even though it is possible to have Genital HSV-2 and Oral HSV-2, it’s not all that common. Same thing with Genital HSV-1 and Oral HSV-1. Also, if you have Oral HSV-1, the virus is not going to travel from the oral facial area to the genital area. Same thing with Genital HSV-2, it’s not going to travel from the Genital area to the oral/facial area.
If you are wondering if you have herpes at all then proper herpes testing is in order. If you have something that can be cultured it’s important to have that done within the first 24-48 hours of the sore or outbreak appearing. If not, then a type specific herpes antibody test is in order. That will tell you if you have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all. Make sure you really read and dig through everything on my site, ok? http://www.yoshi2me.com — Good Luck!
ok im a lesbian my partner has hsv 1 and i was told i have hsv 1 and 2, it was really hard telling her about me but its only right especially being in this type lifestyle, but when she told me she gets coldsores 1st i then told her about me, we have not had sexual intercourse yet but my question is, if she already has hsv 1 will she get hsv 2 by giving me oral sex or since i have hsv 2 will i gave her hsv 2 if i perform oral sex on her?? i heard that when a person already has either one of the viruses you can pass it to the other person bc it already lies dormient in the nerves i dont know help please!! thanks.
i have hsv2 orally and the lesion occurs on my neck. i have never had one on my lips or on my face. is it possible to pass hsv2 to my bf, kissing or performing oral sex? i always thought since my infection site was on my neck, that when the virus acts up again that it would act up at the infection site, my neck.
now my bf is afraid i gave it to him genitally. he has two red dots genitally that he has not had cultured, but he fears is hsy. i dont know if that is possible. any advice to share? thanks
AJ, does your partner know where her herpes located?
LMN, have you ever had a 2nd opinion on the outbreak that you get on your neck? Are you sure that it’s herpes because I have never heard of that before.
i was wondering……..i had my first baby 6 months ago and never tested positive for herpes …….in fact i have never tested for herpes in my life…….is it possible that my recent partner could have infected me…….or could this have been in my body the whole time
How do you know that they tested you for herpes before your pregnancy, during your pregnancy, or after your pregnancy? Did they tell you they were going to test you for herpes? You said you have never tested for herpes. What does that mean? Does that mean you’ve never been tested for herpes and always just assumed you were? You need to be more specific and leave a more detail oriented comment.