HSV-1, the virus responsible for common cold sores, can be transmitted through fluids from the mouth. It is responsible for some cases of genital herpes cases. HSV-1 can spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex.
HSV-2 causes most of the genital herpes cases. HSV-2 can be spread through secretions from the mouth or genitals.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is spread from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact. The virus is shed from visible sores, blisters, or a rash during outbreaks, but can also be shed from the affected area between outbreaks of symptoms.
HSV is transmitted to the area of skin with which it comes into contact. There are also some cases by which other types of contact can spread HSV. For example, a variant of herpes, known as herpes gladiatorum, can be passed on during body contact sports, such as wrestling.
Because the virus is transmitted through secretions from the mouth or genital tissue (mucosa), common sites of infection in men include:
Anus
Inner thighs
Scrotum
Shaft and head of the penis
Common sites of infection in women include:
Anus
Cervix
Inner thighs
Labia
Vagina
The mouth can also be a site of infection in both sexes.
Research suggests that the virus can be transmitted even when there are no symptoms present, so that a sexual partner without obvious genital herpes sores can still transmit the illness. In fact, asymptomatic spread may actually contribute more to the spread of genital herpes than do active sores.
Symptoms
For people with no prior contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2, initial infection involves both whole body (systemic) and local symptoms.
Herpes simplex (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes simplex is a viral infection that mainly affects the mouth or genital area.is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face. It is the most common herpes simplex virus and many people develop it in childhood. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/30/2009
Herpes viral culture of lesion (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a laboratory test to check if a skin sample is infected with the herpes simplex virus.Culture- herpes simplex virus; Herpes simplex virus culture.A sample from a skin lesion(often a genital sore) or blister is n...Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 12/03/2007
Herpes - resources (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on genital herpes: American Social Health Association - www.ashastd.org; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CRNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/20/2008
Genital warts (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Genital warts are soft wart-like growths on the genitals caused by a viral skin disease. Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted disease(STD), also called a sexually transmitted infection(STI).Condylomata acuminata; Penile warts; Human pa...Reviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/26/2008
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