A member asked:

I have hsv 1 genitally. can i transmit it to a partner through mouth to mouth kissing? i have never had an oral outbreak.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Location matters: In the past, we thought of herpes simplex I as limited to cold sores on the mouth, and herpes simplex II as genital herpes. However, we can find HSV II occurring above the neck & HSV I occurring below the waist because what matters is what area gets exposed to the virus. If the virus is in genital area, you won't transmit it to a partner by a kiss, only by contact with the affected area.

Answered 2/3/2015

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