Posts Tagged ‘sores on the mouth’

Oral Herpes Can Be Transferred to the Genitals

Posted in Herpes Transmission on June 24th, 2009 by herpes_test – 3 Comments

Many Americans know that cold sores are caused by a herpes virus. But few understand the relation between oral herpes and genital herpes. Also confusing is whether herpes on the lip or mouth can be transmitted to the genital area.

There are several strains of herpes virus. Herpes simplex virus Type 2 is the strain associated with genital herpes. Many cold sores, on the other hand, are caused by herpes simplex virus Type 1. But Type 2 can also cause sores on the mouth, and Type 1 can spread to the genitals.

The types are closely related, and they usually lie dormant in nerves near an infection site until emerging on the skin during an outbreak, often preceded by tingling, itching and pain. Soap and water kills the virus fairly easily, so washing is a good way to help keep it from spreading.

Herpes is transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact when the infection is active, but carriers can also transmit the virus when they have no noticeable symptoms — and many do not.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Cold sores can cause a genital infection and vice versa.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/19/health/19real.html?pagewanted=print&position=.