Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: October 22, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I often get cold sores in my mouth area. If i do give a guy a blow job when there is no outbreak, can i give him herpes? This is very important, please answer!
Signed: Cold Sores In My Mouth Area And Passing Them Onto Others
Dear Cold Sores In My Mouth Area And Passing Them Onto Others,
There are two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV type 2 most often causes genital sores, but can infect the mouth. But most likely what you have is HSV type 1 which most commonly causes sores on the lips, often referred to as fever blisters or cold sores. While the sores with type 1 generally appear on the lips, it can cause genital infections through oral-genital or genital-genital contact. So to answer your question, if you have HSV type 1 and have oral sex with your boyfriend, it is possible that the HSV can be transmitted.
FX recommends that you speak with your partner about your concern (if you haven’t already) to prevent any further spreading of the virus. It is important that both you and your partner meet with a medical health professional to receive STD testing, education on HSV, and information on how to prevent spreading the disease. There is no cure for herpes, however, antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes medication.
FX also recommends the following tips to prevent the spread of herpes:
- Stop having sexual contact as soon as you feel warning signs of an outbreak. Warning signs may include a burning, itching, or tingling feeling. Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom. It can also spread in sweat or vaginal fluids to places the condom doesn't cover.
- Use condoms between outbreaks to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Use herpes treatments. The risk of transmission can be greatly reduced if the partner with herpes takes a small daily dose of anti-herpes medication.
- Touching any type of herpes sore may spread the virus from one partner to another or from part of the body to another, especially during initial herpes.
- Don't touch the sores. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water — this kills the virus. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before rubbing your eyes, and before touching a contact lens.
- Don't wet contact lenses with saliva — especially if you have oral herpes.
- If you have a cold sore on your mouth, don't kiss anyone — especially infants, children, or pregnant women.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern
More information on HSV:
What Is Herpes?
Herpes is a very common infection caused by two different, but very closely related, viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Both are easy to catch and will remain in the body for life producing symptoms that come and go. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can infect the oral area, the genital are, or both. When the infection is on or near the mouth, it is called oral herpes and is most often caused by HSV-1. When a herpes infection is on or near the genital area, it is called genital herpes, most often caused by HSV-2.
Up to 8 out of 10 American adults have oral herpes, and 1 out of 5 American adolescents and adults have genital herpes. Millions of people do not know they have herpes because they never had, or noticed, the herpes symptoms.
With adults and children the issue with herpes is generally one of annoyance rather than serious harm. However, cold sores can be very harmful to a newborn.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Herpes?
With oral herpes, “cold sores” or “fever blisters” can show up on the lips or around the mouth. These sores may also show up inside the mouth (however, this usually only happens the first time oral herpes symptoms appear). Symptoms may last a few weeks and then go away. They may not return for weeks, months or even years.
Initial symptoms of genital herpes involve pain or itching that often begins within a few weeks after exposure to an infected partner. A person may then notice small red bumps, blisters, open sores, or ulcers that ooze or bleed in the genital, anal and nearby areas. A person may also experience pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks, or inner thighs. In women, sores can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus, or cervix. In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, thighs, inside the urethra, and the channel between the bladder and the penis. While you have ulcers, it may also be painful to urinate. Pain and tenderness in the genital area can also occur until the infection clears. And during an initial outbreak a person may have flu-like symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
Keep in mind that many people are unaware that they have herpes because they have not yet had any signs of symptoms of the disease. With others, the symptoms are so mild that a person may not realize they are having an initial outbreak.
How Is Herpes Spread?
Herpes can be spread by touching, kissing, and sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Brief skin-to-skin contact is all that is needed to pass the virus. And because herpes may have no symptoms for years, it can be difficult to know who passed it to whom.
Herpes is most contagious when sores are open, moist, or leaking fluid – basically until the scabs heal and fall off. However, it is important to remember that herpes can be spread even when no symptoms are present – that is what happens for most people who transmit the virus. Most people with oral herpes were infected as children.
Does Herpes Always Come Back? Can I Prevent It From Coming Back?
Herpes does not always recur, but when it flares up again, it is called a “recurrence” or “outbreak.” These outbreaks will differ in timing and severity from person to person. Herpes is most likely to recur in the first year after infection, and tends to be more frequent in people with weakened immune symptoms.
Sometimes there are early warning signs that an outbreak is about to occur, such as tingling, burning, or itching where the sores were before. Oral recurrences may be caused by sunburn, injury to the lips, or other infections. It is less certain what causes genital herpes outbreaks, although other infections, stress, surgery, menstruation, sexual intercourse, and skin irritations may be responsible.
Preventative measures include:
- Taking anti-herpes drugs to treat individual outbreaks. They are not as effective during recurrences as they are with initial herpes, but they may be helpful to some people.
- Taking anti-herpes drugs every day to reduce the frequency and duration of recurrences. Daily use of these medications is known as “suppressive therapy,” and is most effective in people with frequent outbreaks.
- Maintaining a good diet, getting enough rest and sleep, and using effective stress management techniques.
- Avoiding sunburn for those with oral herpes.
Is There A Treatment for Herpes?
There is no cure for herpes that will make the virus disappear forever, however, there are treatments available that will help to speed up the healing of sores, as well as to reduce the frequency of future outbreaks. In addition, outbreaks tend to become fewer and weaker over the course of a few years on their own.
Treatment measures include:
- Medications to help manage the infection.
- Warm baths for pain relief.
- Cotton clothing to help prevent chaffing and skin irritation.
- Keeping the sores dry as moisture can slow the healing process.
- Soothing the area with the use of cold compresses on the sores.
- Pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may help relieve discomfort and fever.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
National Herpes Hotline
919-361-8488
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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