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Oral Sex Can Lead to Genital Herpes

Oral herpes, or cold sores as they are commonly known, are contagious. Until recently, it has been believed that contact with an open cold sore, say from kissing, would only pass to another’s mouth area. But recent studies suggest that cold sores can be transmitted to the genital area through oral sex.

A recent sex survey released by the National Center for Health Statistics. It canvassed 12,571 people ages 15 to 44. Among other things it revealed that slightly more than half of teenagers age 15 to 19 had tried oral sex.

The most likely bad outcome from oral sex is probably a case of herpes. A recent study at the University of Pittsburgh found that some people are getting genital herpes from a partner infected with the common cold sore-causing virus HSV-1.

It used to be thought that the virus responsible for 'cold sores' was different from the one responsible for genital herpes, but it is now clear that in almost half of people who have genital herpes infection the virus involved is the one that usually causes 'cold sores'. The infection usually starts about five days after contact with the virus, and the initial symptoms tend to be genital soreness, tenderness, or irritation. These are shortly followed by the development of blisters. These break, the resultant ulcers gradually scab over, and complete healing usually takes two or three weeks. The first episode of genital herpes tends to be the worst. Recurrences occur in more than half of people, and these tend to be milder and less frequent if the ‘cold sore’ virus causes the infection.

Cold sores can be treated using various topical ointments which are readily available at health and drug stores. FDA approved products for treating genital herpes are available only by prescription. However, since it is now known that half of genital herpes are cause by the same virus as cold sores, or oral herpes, some speculate that over the counter cold sore treatments might be effective in that area.