Herpes

How long after oral herpes breakout is it safe to kiss?

How long after an oral herpes outbreak is it okay to kiss / have oral sex with a partner?

Public Comments

1. It's not okay. Herpes spread with or without an outbreak.
2. better to kiss after the outbreak is gone and healed. chances are much lower (like 2% ) to pass it on when there is no sore then when there is one.
3. To be honest, there is no safe time because the virus can still be spread so your partner should be notified and aware that at any time they contract the virus.
4. It is safer about 5 days after the outbreak has completely healed. However, it is true that you can still spread it even when you don't have a cold sore and haven't had one for ages. Everyone with oral herpes is sometimes infectious in between outrbeaks - it is called asymptomatic shedding of the virus and happens 5-10% of the time with oral herpes. I should know - my partner had oral herpes and we scrupulously avoided him giving me oral sex during and for a few days after outbreaks. I caught genital herpes from him giving me oral sex, and he hadn't had a codl sore in 6 months and nor was he getting one either - he was completely symptom-free. 70% of herpes infections are spread when the person has no symptoms.