HSV-1 and HSV-2 Infections

[chrome-lover.livejournal.com]

Hey, I have a question for you all. My boyfriend has HSV-1 (oral herpes) and I guess I have it too (my last cold sore was five years ago). My question is, how easy is it for him to transmit HSV-1 to me as genital herpes (HSV-2)? I know it's possible, but I'm wondering, if so many people have HSV-1 (~80%) then how come more people haven't accidentally transmitted genital herpes (20-25%)?

Thanks!

Comments

[glasspumpkin.livejournal.com]

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are different viruses - you can read about each one here (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Herpes_%28HSV-1/HSV-2%29#What.27s_the_difference_between_HSV-1_and_HSV-2.3F). But both viruses can manifest themselves on the mouth and/or genitals. As discussed by the Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.4woman.org/faq/stdherpe.htm#2), "HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips or 'fever blisters.'" Teenwire (http://www.teenwire.com/ask/2001/as-20010824p270.php) also tells us that "both types of herpes can be sexually transmitted and both types can appear on the mouth or on the genitals."

You will get a lot of great information out of the Herpes (HSV-1/HSV-2) vulvapedia article, which can be found here (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Herpes_%28HSV-1/HSV-2%29). Good luck!