Re: herpes question
Originally posted by MackJr
HSV-1 is very common and 90% of the population has it, even children, because it's passed through towels, kissing, even kitchen utensils.
but what about HSV-2, genital herpes, the nasty one? Someone said that HSV-1 can get on the genitals. Does this make it effectively HSV-2? What's the situation with that?
Check out the links above for your answers. But, I've cut and pasted this from herpes.com:
Theory of Cause: ...Dr. C.N. Look
Herpes simplex viruses include two distinct but closely related viruses, namely, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both viruses can cause genital herpes. Roughly speaking, HSV-2 causes 90% and HSV-1 causes 10% of all genital herpes. Herpes simplex virus is a linear double-stranded DNA virus. HSV-1 and HSV-2 share approximately 50% homology of their genetic materials and they even express type-common surface antigens. It accounts for the high degree of cross-reactivity and the technical difficulty in differentiating the 2 viruses. On the other hand, HSV-1 & HSV-2 antibodies offer some degree of cross protection. Cell-mediated immune responses is more important than humoral responses in determining the severity of HSV infections. Hence, AIDS patients often have chronic and severe anogenital herpes. Genital herpes is usually transmitted by sexual intercourse. Direct inoculation of virus occurs through contact with infected secretions or mucosal surfaces. Orogenital contact with a partner with type 1 herpes labialis can also result in genital herpes. Asymptomatic shedding of HSV is the most common mode of transmission of genital herpes infection. It is estimated that more than half of the HSV-2 genital infections are asymptomatic. Dr C.N.Look
....The short answer is that each type of herpes remains the same, whether it's contracted orally or genitally. So, hsv-1 (the usual oral type) contracted on the genitals is still hsv-1, but just happens to be on the genitals. It would be called "genital" herpes, however, simply because that is where it would be located in that particular case.
Most "genital" herpes are of the hsv-2 variety, although it is possible to catch or transmit the "usual" oral herpes (hsv-1) mouth to genitals, or genitals to genitals, or genitals to mouth.
That is, either herpe type can be contracted either orally or genitally. It just so happens that in most cases (est. 90%) hsv-1 is found orally, and hsv-2 is found genitally. The break down would be like this:
hsv-1: 90% oral, 10% genital
hsv-2: 90% genital, 10% oral