Question:
Ok. So I have been looking through this site for hours now. MY partner of a year has oral herpes, which he assumes is type 1 . Very very mild outbreaks no pain, and not horrible to look at. He never kisses me with an outbreak and we wait until it is completely gone before engaging in oral sex. However, now I too have developed a coldsore, which I think I may have had an outbreak of two years ago (never tested), and has now reappeared. It is absolutely hideous and painful. So that's my history, here's my question.

Is just avoiding oral sex during outbreaks enough to avoid spreading what we are only guessing is Type 1 Oral to eachother's genitals? How risky is it at any time to be performing oral sex on eachother if we both have Type 1 oral?

If it is risky, we need some serious public awareness campaigns going on, because Type 1 is so common, and everyone seems to think oral sex is ok if you don't have an outbreak on your mouth while performing it. Our society is in need of a serious awakening when it comes to all types of herpes. This all has seemed so taboo to me in the past when really it is very common.

Also, I think in my province, "looking" is the normal way to diagnose coldsores, because having seen 4 doctors for the two outbreaks I've had, has not once resulted in a swab. Everyone on here keeps talkign about tests, and I have never been provided with that option. Sorry for the rant, but now with two outbreaks, I think I have joined the Type 1 Oral Herpes crew.

Answer:
Even when a coldsore is not present, you can still pass herpes from your mouth to your partners genitals via oral sex.

We continue to shed the virus,without having any symptoms,ther is no way of knowing when we are shedding.

Answer:
its only up to you to open your mouth and demand a test. if you dont, you never will get tested.
oral is not genital, and you both are at risk for genital herpes since you both have oral herpes- and are having oral sex w/ each other. having herpes can only protect you for so long before one of you gets genital.

Answer:
So you can pass genital herpes on to oral even if you have never had oral? Nobody ever thinks about this shedding.

Answer:
It is really disturbing how rampant this virus is spreading. There is a serious need for more education for society. I have a friend who contracted herpes close to fifteen years ago when she was in a monogamous relationship and what they failed to realize was that because he had "cold sores" he had passed HSV to her through oral sex. This is all very new to me, and I am surprised at how many lives are affected by this virus. Since I found out I have learned that two people I know already have it, and a friend of mine's sister-in-law may have just contracted it!

Answer:
people who are educated, e.g. ourselves, think about shedding...

i do do. dont i doe.

alot of peeps know what they have, but bury thier heads in the sand in complete denial, and carry on regardless...

makes me laff..

only a few days ago, i saw the bar maid in my local pub with a whacking great big coldsore on her lip, i got my pint, one of the regualrs walked, chatted to the barmaid, and she gave him a kiss..

i was like " do you know you can pass that onto him"

she says, "ya what, its only a coldsore"

i say "yes thats its street name, do you kn ow its herpes"

shes says "fuck off, i havent got herpes"

i said "shows what you know, thats great big cold sore on your face is herpes, and youve probably just given it to craig (the regular)"

craig says "your fucking joking aint ya mate"

i say "go look on the internet"

bar maid says "your full of shit, i aint got no herpes"

i walk out.

Answer:
so have ya been back to th pub? you are a local there? think ya will still be welcomed as before you "told them like it is"????? good for you for sharing your knowledge, shame on them for their reaction.