Getting gHSV 1 if you already have gHSV 2

[Bloomer]

So, question is if you already have genital HSV 2 for several years can you get genital HSV 1? 

[RingofFire]

@BloomerIn a podcast that was put on by this website, H Opp, they interviewed Terry Warren. She said that if you have HSV-2 antibodies you can't get HSV-1. Whether I want to test that theory is another matter entirely. Haha

[Bloomer]

Thank you very much for your reply. 

I hope Terri Warren is correct with this one. 

It's a shame that HSV 1 doesn't offer the same protection against HSV 2. 

[Flowerteacher55]

Hello! 

I hope you are well ❤️ 

Having either HSV-1 or HSV-2 can help lessen the likelihood that you would contract it. Of course, this depends per person, and of course if the person has an autoimmune-related condition. I did some research and found a 2002 (sadly its 20 years old!) study that also cites other studies; here is a paragraph:

Basically, it's saying that this particular study found that contracting the other type of HSV if you already had one type did not differ by gender, while another study found that women were more protected to contracting the other type. Remember, studies are based on the relative sample population utilized in the study. So, keep that in mind! 🙂 The paragraph also mentions other trials conducted; if you want to see the specific cross reference to the studies mentioned, click the citation number after the sentence on this link: https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/185/8/1019/814003

Our study also found that neither the patterns of HSV-2 seroprevalence by HSV-1 serostatus nor the relative percentage of persons with HSV-2 antibody who were coinfected with HSV-1 differs by sex. Several studies, however, have suggested that prior HSV-1 infection may provide partial protection against acquisition of HSV-2 infection, although the protective effect may be limited to women. A prospective study by Mertz et al. [8] found that preexisting HSV-1 antibody was associated with a reduced risk of acquisition of HSV-2 infection in women, but that was a relatively small study based on a total of 11 HSV-2 seroconversions in women. In men, there were only 3 HSV-2 seroconversions, and no conclusions could be made. A protective effect conferred by prior HSV-1 infection in women was also suggested in a smaller prospective study by Bryson et al. [9] and in a cross-sectional study [7]. In contrast, a prospective study by Brown et al. [11] found that the acquisition rate of HSV-2 was similar in pregnant women with and without prior HSV-1 infection. To date, the best data concerning the possible protective effect of HSV-1 antibody on acquisition of HSV-2 infection are from a clinical trial [12] in which 1508 persons seropositive for HSV-1 and 885 persons seronegative for HSV-1 were followed prospectively. Similar to what we found in this analysis, the researchers of that clinical trial concluded that HSV-1 antibody had no effect on the rate of acquiring HSV-2 infection (the HSV-2 seroconversion rate was 5.1 vs. 5.2 per 100 person-years in those who did and did not have preexisting HSV-1 antibody).

I hope this helps! ❤️ 

If anyone can find a more up-to-date article that would be ideal, too! 

Blessings to you! ❤️ 

grace

[Bloomer]

@Flowerteacher55 thank you for your reply. 

This study you posted is about possibility of getting HSV 2 if you already have HSV 1. I asked about other way around. I was interested about statistics about getting HSV 1 if you already have HSV 2. @RingofFire gave me info which was helful. 

[Flowerteacher55]

Hi!

I am so sorry, I apologize! 

I'm so thankful for @RingofFire for their support and helpful information! ❤️ 

Blessings to you both!

grace

[Bloomer]

@Flowerteacher55 no need to aplogize. 🙂

You are always helpful and so kind to all of us. 🙂😊

The study you posted altough is old, was very interesting to read.