Oral and Genital Herpes; the thin line between HSV-1 and HSV-2

Spots of HSV herpes on the body

Several victims have HSV-1 that's the main cause of oral herpes than the HSV-2 virus. The location of the Herpes infection type is the significant difference between HSV-2 and HSV-1 infections. With cold sores appearing on the facial skin around the lips, they also spread as lesions around the genital region. In the number of sexually active people between 14 and 49 years of age, there are over one in six people with genital herpes infection.

That claim was made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about the herpes virus. The HSV-1 and HSV-2 are oral and genital Herpes that attack humans.  "HSV-1 remains dormant in the head and neck area while HSV-2 stays near the lower part of the spine," explained the founder of Smarter Skin Dermatology (Sejal Shah, an NYC-based dermatologist). In the nervous system, the Herpes viruses are often inactive, but in different spots.

Types of herpes infection

Oral and genital Herpes shows inside and outside of the body. The HSV-1 is the same as oral herpes; with mild symptoms of a fever blister and a cold sore around the lips. Alternatively, the HSV-2, are blisters and sores in the genital region; also attacking the penis, vulva or around the anus. However, they have links as the HSV-1 leads to genital herpes. Shah explained that HSV-2 and HSV-1 are similar, as they reoccur after an outbreak.

So you must get Herpes test and  protect your reproductive health as once HSV-2 or HSV-1 type infects victims, the Herpes virus can't be fully cleared, even without any experience of a visible outbreak.

The virus medium of transfer

The easiest method of Herpes transfer is through direct contact with an infected person or sharing cups, eating utensils, and oral-to-oral gestures (kissing). It is common for sexual partners to share toothbrushes; great care must be taken to avoid oral Herpes. Sexual intercourse; vaginal, oral sex, and anal sex are mediums of transfer of the deadly infection. When the stage of Herpes moves to active outbreak mode with a visible lesion or a cold sore on the genitals, it's very easy to contract the infection.

Viral or asymptomatic shedding comes with the capacity of the virus to spread with the absence of symptoms. While Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City was explaining, he said; 'This may be in part due to the prevalence of oral sex. However, genital herpes outbreaks caused by HSV-1 do not recur as frequently as genital herpes outbreaks due to HSV-2.

As of now; there is no way to distinguish which one you have unless you do a viral culture. We anecdotally see HSV-1 growing in the genitals and HSV-2 growing in the lip cultures sometimes.'

When to watch out for Herpes outbreak

After intercourse there is a good time to weigh your options when symptoms of Herpes are noticed. With every form of blister showing on the face or genitals, the feeling of trauma these symptoms brings is challenging. Mr.  Zeichner said; 'It lives within the nerve and it forms a new active skin infection when the immune system is run down or after having a cold, the flu, or after a sunburn.'

Early treatment is a key

Health providers ask patients to get Herpes test and start to take a daily dose of antiviral to treat HSV-1 and HSV-2. Remember that further spread can be curtailed when you take your meds. There is nothing to be ashamed of, instead, make prompt treatment plans to feel better.

Contributor: admin