Increased Susceptibility To Herpes Virus If Practicing Oral Sex

Studies have shown that teenagers who received oral sex were nearly nine times as likely to become infected with the HSV-1 virus as those who remained abstinent.

There is a burgeoning population of teenagers who are susceptible to either oral or genital HSV-1 infection if they are practicing only oral sex without vaginal intercourse.

These kids have a misguided view that oral sex is considered "safe sex"; however, studies have shown that teenagers who received oral sex were nearly nine times as likely to become infected with the HSV-1 virus as those who remained abstinent and unfortunately, kissing cannot be ruled out as a means of transmission.

If your partner has genital herpes infection, you can easily pass or transmit the virus to an uninfected partner during oral sex. People who do not know they have herpes play an important role in transmission. Herpes can be transmitted through close contact other than sexual intercourse, through oral sex or close skin-to-skin contact, for example.

There are some safeguards that can be put in place to lessen the risk of contracting herpes; however, none are as fool-proof as no sex at all. Some prevention measures include avoiding touching the infected area during an outbreak, and washing your hands after contact with the area. Also, do not have sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) from the time of first genital symptoms until symptoms are completely gone.

Symptoms of herpes are called outbreaks. The first outbreak appears within 2 weeks after you become infected and can last for several weeks. These symptoms might include tingling or sores near the area where the virus has entered the body, such as on the genital or rectal area, on buttocks or thighs, or occasionally on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men. Small red bumps appear first, develop into small blisters, and then become itchy, painful sores that might develop a crust and will heal without leaving a scar. Sometimes, there is a crack or raw area or some redness without pain, itching, or tingling.

Other symptoms that may accompany the first (and less often future) outbreak of genital herpes are fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area. Often, though, people don't recognize their first or subsequent outbreaks.

People who have mild or no symptoms at all may not think they are infected with herpes. They can still transmit the virus to others, however. A blood test cannot show whether you are having a herpes outbreak, but it can show if you are infected with HSV. Newer blood tests, called type-specific tests, can tell whether you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Blood tests cannot tell between genital and other herpes infections. Health experts assume, however, that if you are positive for HSV-2, you have had genital infection. Because herpes can be transmitted from someone who has no symptoms, using these precautions is not enough to prevent transmission.

Using barriers such as condoms during sexual activity may decrease transmission, but transmission can occur even if condoms are used correctly. Condoms may not cover all infected areas. Because herpes can be transmitted from someone who has no symptoms, using these precautions is not enough to prevent transmission. The safest way to insure that transmission does not occur is to abstain from sex.

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Increased Susceptibility To Herpes Virus If Practicing Oral Sex

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