I know everyone's risk tolerance is different. I'm curious how many of you would personally be bothered by a date having dormant oral herpes (hsv1 aka cold sore, sun blister) and would you want your date to disclose this information to you? Also, would you disclose this information to a date prior to kissing?
Dormant meaning it is not an active flare up. The date also had it since childhood and rarely gets a flare and is on a suppressant.
To give you some statistics and data:
1. 50 – 70% of Americans have Hsv-1.
2. The rate of transmission is very low, about 0.5% – 2%.
3. Hsv-1 can be transmitted from mouth to genitals and vice versa.
4. Hsv-1 is not categorized as an STD because it's so common and people get it from other ways besides sex (such as sharing cups, utensils)
5. People can be asymptomatic (no flare ups) and not know that they have it
6. Typically prior to visual symptoms of a flare up (blisters), the person will notice a tingling, burning, or itchy feeling which will let them know that blisters are likely forming.
7. The virus is spread with the blisters bursting but also by skin shedding that has the virus which is why it's possible to spread even when there are no visible symptoms