Explainer: Using Saliva As A Lubricant During Sex Causes Genital Herpes

A doctor, Dr. Harvey Olufunmilayo, has said that using saliva as a lubricant during sex can result in Genital Herpes. Dr. Olufunmilayo took to his Twitter account to advise people from using saliva during sexual intercourse saying people who engage in this practice put their lives at risk.

“If someone uses saliva on your private part, in a few days, you may have  Genital Herpes. Apart from the risk of infections- saliva is ineffective as a lubricant- It is not as slippery, It dries up easily, It causes irritation, It can make you get a tear, You may get a bad smell if the person has mouth odor, Saliva is not a lubricant. Please don’t put your life at risk.”

“ So what about oral sex? It carries a worrying risk, to be honest. However because the focus in oral sex is primarily not to introduce the saliva into the vagina, technically that may mean it’s less risky than actually taking saliva and introducing it inside the vagina as a lubricant.”

“This happens more commonly than you think, and it is in fact the commonest way that you can get Genital Herpes. Never use saliva as a sex lubricant. And please, Anyone with an open mouth sore should not be using their saliva on you. This is no joke. You can get Genital Herpes.”

“ This happens more commonly than you think, and it is in fact the commonest way that you can get Genital Herpes. Never use saliva as a sex lubricant. And please, Anyone with an open mouth sore should not be using their saliva on you. This is no joke. You can get Genital Herpes.”

He also said that infected saliva rubbed all over the private part and resulted in Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Herpes, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) causing penis cancer, anus cancer, vagina cancer, vulva cancer, throat cancer, tonsil cancer.

What Is Genital Herpes?

Herpes is a viral infection that comes in two types. Oral herpes is caused by a harmless virus called the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). It is easily passed from one person to another through skin contact, and, as a result, almost all people are exposed to it as children or young adults.

If you’ve ever had an outbreak of cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth or elsewhere on your face, then the likely culprit is HSV-1. These cold sores may recur as the infection is lifelong, but outbreaks are usually self-limited.

A different virus called the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) causes genital herpes. This form of herpes can result in both internal and external sores, and blisters in the genital area, which can arise several days, weeks, or months after exposure.

Some people may never experience visible symptoms. According to the CDC, having the genital herpes virus puts people at an increased risk of getting an HIV infection, if exposed.

You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. You can get herpes if you have contact with:

• A herpes sore;
• Saliva from a partner with an oral herpes infection;
• Genital fluids from a partner with a genital herpes infection;
• Skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes; or
• Skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes.

You also can get genital herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or is unaware of their infection. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a partner with oral herpes.

You will not get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools. You also will not get it from touching objects, such as silverware, soap, or towels.

How To Identify Herpes Virus And How It Is transmitted?

Oral herpes (HSV-1) can be spread through saliva, kissing, and skin-to-skin contact. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes if the genital areas are exposed to fever blisters or sores on the mouth or face, or through oral sex.

Even though HSV-1 also never completely goes away, that strain of the virus causes fewer outbreaks over time in the genital areas than HSV-2.

Genital herpes (HSV-2) can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and/or sexual intercourse of all types (oral, vaginal, and anal). Most people don’t realize that sores from genital herpes can appear on the face as well as the genital area. Because the virus can spread any time contact occurs with a blister or sore

Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Mild symptoms may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other skin conditions like a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people do not know they have a herpes infection.

Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. This is known as having an “outbreak”. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. Flu-like symptoms (e.g fever, body aches, or swollen glands) also may occur during the first outbreak.

While genital herpes rarely causes serious health problems in healthy men and women, HSV-2 can be dangerous for pregnant women and the neonate (an infant less than four weeks old), particularly during the last trimester of pregnancy.

The virus may cause premature labor and babies can contract the virus in the womb or when passing through the birth canal.

Preventing Genital Herpes

Dr. Olufunmilayo said to prevent genital herpes, people must stay off using saliva as a lubricant for sex and make use of a mouth condom if there’s a sore on the mouth.

“ Stay off using saliva as a lubricant for sex. That’s the ideal situation. If you have a sore in your mouth or a throat/mouth infection, keep your mouth away from anyone’s genitals. Or if you have to, please go to a pharmacy and get a mouth condom ”

“ Stick to one partner. Focus on foreplay. Ideal foreplay time 10-15minutes. That’s a safer, healthier way to get someone naturally wet. And the natural wet juice lasts longer, does a better lubricant job, doesn’t dry up easily, won’t cause wounds, and is best for both parties.” 

“ Or if you find that you still struggle to be wet regardless of foreplay- get a lubricant. It is NOT expensive. Don’t buy in traffic, don’t buy inside a bus. Go to a pharmacy- Have a chat and look at options- Then buy a good reliable one ”