How can hsv2 be contracted

Herpes expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, explains the basics about genital herpes, including the difference between genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, testing options and the importance of knowing virus type, and the three-prong strategy for prevention.

See more herpes videos at sexualhealthTV. Handsfield or our other experts to answer? Shedding can cause sores and lesions in the area that has the infection. The virus transmits to others more easily after shedding. The virus will eventually move through the nerves from the skin to the sacral ganglia, which is an area near the base of the spine. Here, it will remain dormant until it eventually reactivates. Symptoms are not always noticeable even when the virus is active, and HSV-2 is still transmissible when no symptoms are showing.

Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, occurs due to HSV Genital herpes, on the other hand, tends to be a more direct result of HSV-2 transmission. In the U. The majority of people who test positive for an HSV-2 infection are unaware that they carry it for the following reasons:.

However, having one type of HSV does not mean that an individual will acquire the other. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are genetically similar , so the immune system of a person with herpes will produce antibodies to fight one infectious agent and potentially reduce the risk of contracting the other.

HSV-1 causes oral herpes. It is usually transmissible through kissing or the sharing of drinks and utensils. Most people with HSV-1 acquired it during childhood through nonsexual contact and by kissing family members and friends. Less commonly, HSV-1 may transmit to the mucous membranes of the genital area through mouth-to-genital contact during oral sex.

Learn more about the link between kissing and herpes here. People with the virus may display no symptoms or very mild symptoms, or they may mistake their symptoms for those of a different illness. The natural history of varicella zoster infection is similar to genital herpes infection in that VZV also becomes latent in the sensory nerve roots. Later in life the virus may exit, causing shingles. Recurrences in shingles cause blister lesions in a single area of skin called a dermatome. Shingles is not a sexually transmitted infection and is independent from genital herpes.

Herpes and HIV are caused by different viruses. But patients infected with these viruses are more likely to transmit either disease to their sexual partners. Patients with herpes are more vulnerable to HIV infection. People newly diagnosed with herpes should be tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

Patients who are infected with both herpes and HIV also may have a higher concentration of HIV viruses in their body because of the interaction between the herpes virus and the HIV virus. What You Need to Know Herpes simplex virus HSV , also known as genital herpes, is most likely to be spread when an infected person is having an outbreak, but it can also be transmitted without any symptoms being present. Genital Herpes Overview In the United States, about 1 in every 6 people ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes.

What are the different types of herpes? What causes genital herpes? Where does the herpes virus live in the body? How common is genital herpes? What does genital herpes look like? You can also have the following symptoms: Blisters on the mouth or lips Fever, headache or pain in the joints Trouble urinating The symptoms of genital herpes often go away and come back as recurring outbreaks.

The following triggers can make outbreaks more likely to occur: Viral or bacterial infections Menstrual periods Stress Recurrent genital herpes is most common in the first year after the initial infection and decreases as time goes on. How does genital herpes spread? You can also: Inform your sexual partner that you have genital herpes.

Use a condom every time you have sex. Refrain from having sex when you have symptoms. Abstain from performing oral sex if you have blisters or open sores around your mouth. Do condoms help prevent the spread of genital herpes? If you have genital herpes already, can it be spread to other parts of the body, such as the arms or legs? Can genital herpes be transmitted by oral sex? I have cold sores in my mouth.

Can I still get genital herpes? One of these anti-herpes medicines can be taken daily, and makes it less likely that you will pass the infection on to your sex partner s. Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. If you touch your sores or the fluids from the sores, you may transfer herpes to another part of your body, such as your eyes. Do not touch the sores or fluids to avoid spreading herpes to another part of your body.

If you do touch the sores or fluids, immediately wash your hands thoroughly to help avoid spreading your infection. If you are pregnant, there can be problems for you and your developing fetus, or newborn baby. How could genital herpes affect my baby? If you have herpes, you should talk to your sex partner s and let him or her know that you do and the risk involved. Using condoms may help lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely.

Having sores or other symptoms of herpes can increase your risk of spreading the disease. Even if you do not have any symptoms, you can still infect your sex partners.

You may have concerns about how genital herpes will impact your overall health, sex life, and relationships. It is best for you to talk to a health care provider about those concerns, but it also is important to recognize that while herpes is not curable, it can be managed with medication.

Daily suppressive therapy i. Be sure to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. Since a genital herpes diagnosis may affect how you will feel about current or future sexual relationships, it is important to understand how to talk to sexual partners about STDs external icon. Herpes infection can cause sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the mouth, vagina, and rectum. This provides a way for HIV to enter the body. Even without visible sores, having genital herpes increases the number of CD4 cells the cells that HIV targets for entry into the body found in the lining of the genitals.

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