Break down of different herpes strains and oral sex

Kudos to all of you for knowing your and your respective partners? herpes status! Having the "I have herpes" discussion with sexual partners may be a sensitive topic to talk about, but they?re critical to informing risk-reduction strategies and prioritizing each other?s health. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be transmitted through oral sex, as the virus that causes herpes is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Generally speaking, when at least one partner has herpes and is considering performing or receiving oral sex, using a barrier method of protection, such as external condoms [2] or dental dams [3], may reduce the risk of herpes transmission. Keep reading to learn more about these types of herpes strains and potential for transmission among partners!