Amano

problem solved, deleting personal info

Jim Kata

I'm pretty sure that I read that both types can be spread between outbreaks. Mayhaps your doctor can give you some advice on this.

lurkette

Both kinds of herpes can be spread to the other region between outbreaks - it's called viral shedding. Even when there's not an active outbreak, the affected tissue can still release virus.

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1071.html

It's virtually impossible to tell when asymptomatic shedding is happening, but the going theory is that suppressive therapy (drugs like valtrex or supplements like l-lysine) not only suppress outbreaks but also suppress viral shedding. However, it's not 100% proven to eliminate all shedding, so proceed with educated caution.

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

lurkette

Here's more info:

FACTS ABOUT GENITAL HERPES:

Transmission is caused by close oral, anal, or genital contact, including intercourse, masturbation, kissing, or any direct skin-to-skin contact which allows for the transfer of bodily fluids.

A person is considered contagious when prodromal symptoms, active sores, and healing lesions are present.

Herpes is potentially contagious when no symptoms are present. That is, a person who has genital herpes is potentially always shedding active virus.

Approximately 1 in 6 members of the general infected population is thought to shed active virus occasionally without symptoms.

Some people do not get typical blister-like sores but harbor active virus in their saliva, vaginal, or penile secretions, and can shed the virus without knowing they have herpes.

Lesions can occur deep inside the vagina where they cannot be seen or felt, but can readily transmit the virus.

An uninfected individual has about a 75% chance of contracting herpes during intimate contact with someone actively shedding virus.

Oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals, and vice versa. Symptoms are similar.

Auto-inoculation: An infected individual can spread the virus to other parts of his or her body by touching an area shedding virus and then touching, scratching, or rubbing another susceptible part of the body. Towels are especially conducive to this.

It is possible for a person to contract genital herpes if the partner with oral herpes performs oral sex. Oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals, and vice versa. Symptoms are similar.

Environmental surfaces like toilet seats may be a source of contagion, but there is no evidence that this poses a real threat to the general population. Experts differ as to how long the virus can survive on its own. The primary cause of infection remains intimate contact.

http://www.herpes.com/genitalinfo.shtml

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

hrandani

When I was taking a genetics course I distinctly remember hearing that a large percentage of the population has herpes, and has never experienced symptoms.

Same goes for mono and that type of odd disease.

Edit: that's in support of lurkette's information , not otherwise just to make sure I clarify that. I have a friend who gave herpes to his own genetalia without ever knowing what happened by giving oral to his girlfriend.

mokle

Scary, as many many people I know have had cold sores (which are oral herpes, right?)

__________________
Mokle
"Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see" -Ali

Everytime

Yes they can between outbreaks, although less likely.

uncle_el

oral herpes are generally understood to be herpes simplex virus 1
genital herpes are generally understood to be herpes simplex virus 2


a study done a few years ago on a college campus found that 90% of oral herpes (aka cold sores) were herpes simplex virus 2!

it's understood that about 1 in 6 americans have genital herpes.

correct.

websites:
www.herpes.com (who would have thought?!)
cdc: http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm

__________________
An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of inprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses. - Malcolm X

ludacris

What I don't understand is if a lot of people ( 1 in 6 ) have Herpes...and some do not even know it, what is the downside to having it? ...I mean if you don't have Sores or other symptoms, you might not know that you have this disease. Besides the Sores what is another downside to having Herpes?

raveneye

I have HSV 1, and it's not a problem at all. It tries to break out every 6 months or so (an invisible bump that only I can feel), but I just apply some styptic pencil on my lip and it's gone overnight. I got it from my mom, who has had it all her life; she apparently got it from her mom. Supposedly the virus sheds on 3 days out of 100 (in people in general) but it hasn't spread to anybody as far as I know.

Here are some interesting refs:

da Silva, L. M., A. L. S. Guimaraes, et al. (2005). "Herpes simplex virus type 1 shedding in the oral cavity of seropositive patients." Oral Diseases 11(1): 13-16.
OBJECTIVE: Investigate the frequency of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) reactivation in the oral cavity of seropositive patients with previous history of recurrent herpes labialis (recrudescent group) compared with those without any history of recrudescent lesions (asymptomatic HSV-1 infection). In addition, the relation between recrudescence and the presence of the virus in the saliva was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen individuals with previous history of herpes labialis (recrudescent group) and 11 HSV-1 seropositive asymptomatic volunteers were included in the study. Swabs were performed periodically in all subjects and the presence of HSV-1 DNA was identified by nested PCR. RESULTS: All the 25 subjects enrolled in the study, revealed at least one positive swab for HSV-1. The frequency of HSV-1 positivity in the group with recrudescent herpes labialis was not statistically different from the other group. Ten subjects of the recrudescent group presented with herpes labialis at least once during the study. CONCLUSIONS: HSV-1 shedding in the oral cavity occurs independently of herpes labialis recrudescence.

Koelle, D. M. and A. Wald (2000). "Herpes simplex virus: the importance of asymptomatic shedding." Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 45: 1-8.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) Is frequently shed after infection of the genital or perianal area. HSV shedding, as determined by culture, occurs on about 3% of days for immunocompetent women and men, and more for persons with HIV infection or if measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most horizontal and vertical transmission of HSV occurs during unrecognized or asymptomatic shedding, and the majority of HSV-2-infected persons are unaware of their infection. Many persons with 'asymptomatic' HSV-2 infection can learn to recognize genital signs and symptoms as recurrences of HSV-2 infection. However, some shedding episodes remain truly asymptomatic even after patient education. Antiviral therapy dramatically reduces asymptomatic shedding, and trials to evaluate its effect on HSV transmission are underway.

Mindel, A. and C. Estcourt (1998). "Public and personal health implications of asymptomatic viral shedding in genital herpes." Sexually Transmitted Infections 74(6): 387-388.

Pliskin, K. L. (1995). "Vagina dentata revisited: Gender and asymptomatic shedding of genital herpes." Culture Medicine and Psychiatry 19(4): 479-501.
Medical research on genital herpes indicates that women shed herpes asymptomatically. This paper examines the medical understanding of asymptomatic shedding of herpes among women as partial knowledge, meaning biased and incomplete, based upon folk models of male and female sexual bodies and upon the structure of medical practice. The focus on women's sexual anatomy as dangerous to men and the lack of a medical specialty on male reproductive/sexual health results in blaming women for transmission of sexual diseases.

Scott, D. A., W. A. Coulter, et al. (1997). "Oral shedding of herpes simplex virus type 1: a review." Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine 26(10): 441-447.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and, to a lesser extent, type 2 (HSV-2) are the aetiological agents of recrudescent herpes labialis (RHL). The available literature on patterns of HSV-1 shedding into the oral cavity at the prodromal stage of disease, during recrudescences and also during asymptomatic periods, is reviewed, as are the potential sources of virus and the known trigger factors leading to viral reactivation. Attention is given to the methodologies in use for the detection of HSV-1 and the relevance to the risk of cross-infection in surgery. This review also discusses the increase in incidence of HSV-1 genital infections and the significance of salivary inhibitors of the herpes simplex type 1 virus.

Wald, A. (1998). "Herpes - Transmission and viral shedding." Dermatologic Clinics 16(4): 795-+.
Infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) occurs following intimate contact with infected secretions. HSV can be transmitted during oral to oral, genital to oral, and genital to genital contact. In most of the population, infection with HSV-1 is acquired during childhood, whereas infection with HSV-2 is acquired almost exclusively after initiation of sexual activity. After the discovery of antigenic differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2, the observation that HSV-1 causes infections above the waist and HSV-2 below the waist was made.(20) However, HSV-1 remains an important agent of genital herpes, especially among HSV seronegative persons for whom sexual activity may be the first exposure to a herpes simplex virus.(23,24,30).

Wald, A., M. Ericsson, et al. (2004). "Oral shedding of herpes simplex virus type 2." Sexually Transmitted Infections 80(4): 272-276.
Objectives: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and HSV-2 reactivate preferentially in the oral and genital area, respectively. We aimed to define frequency and characteristics associated with oral shedding of HSV-2. Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients with documented HSV-2 infection and at least one oral viral culture obtained were selected from the University of Washington Virology Research Clinic database. Results: Of 1388 people meeting the entry criteria, 44 (3.2%) had HSV-2 isolated at least once from their mouths. In comparison with the 1344 people who did not have HSV-2 isolated from their mouth, participants with oral HSV-2 were more likely to be male (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.7), HIV positive (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.4 to 6.0), and homosexual (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.2), and to have collected a larger number of oral specimens (median 32 v 4, p<0.001). Of the 58 days with oral HSV-2 isolation, 15 (25%) occurred during newly acquired HSV-2 infection, 12 (21%) during a recurrence with genital lesions, three (5%) during a recurrence with oral lesions, and three ( 5%) during a recurrence with oral and genital lesions; 25 (43%) occurred during asymptomatic shedding. Oral HSV-2 was found less frequently than oral HSV-1 (0.06% v 1%, p<0.001) in people with HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibody, and less frequently than genital HSV-2 (0.09% v 7%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Oral reactivation of HSV-2 as defined by viral isolation is uncommon and usually occurs in the setting of first episode of genital HSV-2 or during genital recurrence of HSV-2.

Wald, A., J. Zeh, et al. (2002). "Genital shedding of herpes simplex virus among men." Journal of Infectious Diseases 186: S34-S39.
Epidemiologic studies suggest that most sexual transmission of genital herpes occurs when persons shed virus but lack lesions. This study assessed 79 men (63 with a history of genital herpes simplex virus [HSV] type 2 infection, 5 with a history of genital HSV-1 infection, and 11 with HSV-2 antibodies but no history of genital herpes) and obtained daily swabs for viral culture. HSV was isolated at least once from 60 (81%) HSV-2-seropositive men. The total viral shedding rate in HSV-2-seropositive men was 5%; the subclinical shedding rate was 2.2%. Of 11 HSV-2- seropositive men without a genital herpes history, 7 recognized typical recurrences and HSV was detected in 10. The shedding rate among men with genital HSV-2 was significantly higher than among men with genital HSV-1 infection (odds ratio, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-15.3). The frequency of viral shedding in men with genital herpes appears comparable with that in women.

ludacris

I still don't understand that if it is not Deadly...what is the problem ?...Side effects....etc

Suave

The downside is that you can transfer it to other people who might have worse reactions. And plus, I'd wager that normally you can feel it.

__________________
"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein

"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

ludacris

so if one can deal with the annoying ( possibly painful sores ) ..there is no other further issues one can expect, righT?

raeanna74

Another problem with having genital herpes - If you ever hope to have children it can cause fatal infections in infants born of mothers who are infected. Infants are particularly prone to getting it in their eyes from exposure during childbirth and in that case it causes blindness. Dr's take precautions with all infants by putting drops in the eyes of newborns. Also any mother who has a known herpes infection before childbirth frequently receives a c-section to reduce the exposure of infection to the infant.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

ludacris

makes sense...but I already have kids...don't plan on having more...and the Sores is the worst that can happen to myself righT?

c172g

I don't buy it, I have them & don't believe you can pass them on without knowing. Long before an outbreak (a day or two) you know when you are going to have an outbreak. Your skin starts to feel sensitive, almost painful when it comes in contact with something. I believe this is what they refer to as the shedding.

There are times when you feel it coming on it subsides without an outbreak.

My wife had it when we started dating. When she knew it was coming on, we used protection. Other times we used nothing. This went on for almost two years. After we decided to get married, we quit using anything, and I became infected. I know when it happened because she told me she thought it was going to happen & I said the hell with it. Got sicker than a dog the first time but since then it's really no big deal. If you can avoid it, do so, but you aren't doomed to a life of hell if you have it.

c172g

To answer a few more questions, my wife was warned during childbirth that if she had an outbreak it would be c-section. Both times she delivered normally, which makes me think that if it's transferrable even without, they would automatically do a c-section.

There are no other known health problems from herpes that I've ever heard of besides the sores. I usually have an outbreak once every 6 months, my wife about the same. We're in our 30's. If your immune system is down that seems to be the time for an outbreak.

I will say that I was NEVER sicker than when I first got it. I spent a week in bed shivering & sweating (this was after the sex part). A doctor finally after four days diagnosed it. I had a pretty good idea since my wife had a similar reaction, though not quite as severe.

The outbreaks these days seem to be shorter than when we were in our 20's, less severe, and sometimes not even any blistering.

alpo

There are other things that can happen, but they are predicated on some other health conditions that happen as you get older. As you age, you are more likely to get a condition that may suppress your immune system. There are gazillions of people on the wait list for kidney transplants. Heart transplants are becoming more common. Chemotherapeutic agents used for certain malignancies can also wipe out the immune system. The herpes virus (usually type I) can cause an encephalitis that is fatal in up to 70% of untreated cases.

I'm not saying to avoid sexual contact because you should be scared of getting encephalitis, just that there are other things that the herpes virus can do besides giving you a cold sore.

qweds

ok i need a little help here,

I've always gotten cold sores from as early as i can remember. always a small pain but nothing serious, they would always go away in a couple days and only occure every 6 months or so

but then just this last month I think I've had 3 cold sores. One on the lefthand corner of my lip and two on the right hand corner. Is this possible? Is there any other reason the skin at the corner of my lips would crack? I've put some lemon juice on it and will go to the RX today to see if I can do anything and will visit the doctor this weekend, but seriously WTF? has anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

edit - right i'm posting now b/c my girl is coming back today from vacation and after the las two in one month I thought for sure I'd be cool by now, but apparently that's a negatory

edit 2 - for what it's worth i don't think I've ever experienced this 'tingling' thing. when i get these sores the area might be a little sore then one time when i open my mouth with the skin just cracks...

thanks

__________________
tim(mah)

snflwr167

I know this is a tardy reply, but I just joined.

Did you talk to your doctor about it yet? I've had cold sores since age 13 and at very stressful times I can have them 3 at a time and continuous for weeks on end. Also, they can be brought out by weather, allergies, foods, etc. Though most doctors are reluctant, I know you can ask for a prescription for the same medication that treats genital herpes. It works wonders and has saved me from many many days of embarrassing mouth sores and painful meals. The only problem is, its basically preventative (keeps you from "shedding") so if you already have the bump, it’s too late for the pill to work.