I've had oral herpes since I was in junior high and am just wondering how possible it is for me to transfer it to my husband through oral sex or is it even possible. I read on here that it is rare to transfer genital herpes through oral sex, so is it just as rare this way. I always stay clear of him any time I have a cold sore, but I'm still curious. My doctor told me she wouldn't give up oral sex because of cold sores and that if he hadnt got it in the seven years we've been together then he probobly wouldn't.

If you keep reading on this board, you'll find lots of examples of people who have gotten herpes genitally through oral sex. It is possible. But...hey...I wouldn't give it up, either! Be careful, as you said, and have him wash up afterwords (soap at least 20 seconds.) That's not foolproof, but just an extra precaution that has seemed to help me and my soulmate (I do not have oral h, but have had genital h since before we met, and we have been together sexually 12 years.)

I got genital herpes from my boyfriend performing oral sex on me, and he didn't even have a coldsore at the time! When I was diagnosed, my gyn told me that that over half of the new herpes cases she sees are HSV type 1, meaning 99% likely it was contracted through oral sex. It is a risk that you take, but I couldn't see forgoing oral sex because of the risk. 80% of the population has oral herpes. Just make sure that you refrain from oral while you are having a cold sore. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

P.S. If you or your husband are truly worried about it, you could talk to your doctor about getting put on valtrex as suppressive therapy. Valtrex was recently approved for lessening the risk of transmitting the virus to a partner if taken by the infected partner every day. It would probably also be a good idea for your husband to go get a type specific blood test for herpes. Chances are (80% chance actually) that he already has it orally too. Most people with oral herpes don't get the coldsore symptoms, and never know that they have it. If he was already infected with type 1 orally, it will give him some protection from contracting it genitally from you, as his body already would have antibodies to it. I you guys know he is already type 1 positive, you would have much less to worry about. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif