I have the general oral herpes, cold sores as they are called, I was just wondering if I can contract the genital herpes also. Someone had told me no but I have my doubts. Any info would be appreciated.
2006-08-26 06:38:29 · 3 answers · asked by lexa 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Yes. These are two antigenically different strains of Herpes virus so immunity to one does not automatically give you immunity to the other.
Once you get infected with either one of these viruses you keep it with you for the rest of your life.
The virus retreats up a nerve to a ganglion (place where there are lots of nerve cell nuclei) and becomes "latent." Stress, tiredness or some other condition can trigger reactivation of the virus and it will travel back down the nerve and reappear where you had it before or near to where it was before.
"Cold sores" on your lip or near your nose are the HSV-1 recurring. Although HSV-1 usually infects somewhere on your face, you can also get HSV-2 on your face if that is what contacts the infectious source, so location by itself isn't always a way of knowing if you have HSV-1 or HSV-2.
What is also unpleasant is that HSV-2 can be transmitted to others even if you are not experiencing any symptoms such as itching or pain.
This is why knowing if you are HSV-2 positive should cause you to never have unprotected sex with someone who is HSV-2 positive or if you are HSV-2 positive.
2006-08-30 05:01:48 · answer #1 · answered by Art 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-02 05:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by Paula 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can still contract type 2, if you have intercourse with an infected partner. You can also get it from type 1. HSV-1 causes about 30% of primary genital herpes infections.
2006-08-26 07:05:39 · answer #3 · answered by chandraking2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋