Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Transmission

I just received the results from my STD testing and it showed positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1. I haven’t had a cold sore in years. I am in a relationship with a woman and we have both been tested just to make sure. Is it possible to infect my partner by kissing or oral sex?

Yes. Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 is the virus that most commonly causes oral herpes. If you have oral herpes caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type 1, it is possible for a person to contract herpes from you through contact with your mouth.

It is more likely for your partner to contract herpes from a contact like kissing or from you performing oral sex because these contacts involve contact with mucosal tissue. This tissue is the softer, more sensitive tissue, located in areas like the lips and genital regions. These areas are considered more susceptible to herpes infection than other parts of the body. You want to know whether you are putting your partner at a greater risk for contracting herpes. You should consider that most people have oral herpes, which makes you just like most people. This means that you are not really any different than most other people your partner has kissed or had oral sex with.

As far as the probability of your partner contracting herpes, their risk for contracting herpes is going to be greater if they have no previous exposure to a herpes virus. For example, a person completely without herpes could be more likely to contract herpes from having oral sex performed on them, than a person that has previously been exposed, and therefore has some immune resistance.

Another thing to think about is that it is much more likely for your partner to have oral herpes caused by HSV-1 than not. Therefore, while your concern is admirable, most people are not as cautious, at least in regards to this situation.