Possibility of HSV2 causing oral herpes (a cold sore)?

[Yadira]

Hi all!

 

Quick question - if you have HSV2, what are the chances you can get a cold sore? Are the chances very slim? From what I've been reading on here, it seems unlikely as H2 prefers genital area but H1 can be found oral and genital?

 

Thanks & Happy Friday!

[mr_hopp]

Hey Yadira!

 

Yep, you're right. :) Of all cases of HSV-2, only 1-2% of the cases are oral. Very rare, but possible. (In fact, one of our new forum members says she was swabbed in the throat and found that it's HSV-2.) And yes, HSV-1 can be found both orally (80% of the population) and genitally (50% of all new genital herpes cases are because of oral sex with cold sores).

 

Here are blog articles that cover all that and the handouts cover that, too:

http://herpeslife.com/hsv-1-hsv-2-types-of-herpes/

http://herpeslife.com/genital-hsv-1-herpes-and-oral-sex/

http://bit.ly/h-opp-diagnosis-handout

http://bit.ly/h-opp-disclosure-handout

[Yadira]

Thanks Adrial!

 

This is very comforting news for me. I can handle knowing I have HSV2 but was worried about the chances of having a cold sore show up. (To be completely honest -I think I might be too vain and my appearance is something I'm super crazy about) I need to work on that.

 

Thanks again! I can breathe a little easier now.

[WCSDancer2010]

One thing to make clear - you CAN still get HSV1 orally even tho you have HSV2 - you just are very unlikely to get HSV2 orally at this point.

 

Take it from someone who has both... ;)

[Yadira]

Hi WCSdancer2010!

 

I understand that, I was tested for both & I don't have H1 only Genital H2.

 

:-) have a nice weekend!

[HopefulVictoria]

@Adrial

 

Of course I would be in the 1-2 % lol but hey at least I'm laughing and smiling now! So what are the chances of reoccurring OB for Oral HSV 2? I've been thinking about it a lot lately unfortunately and I'm curious as to know if you have any idea? Thank You!

[mr_hopp]

Well HV,

 

With odds like that, you should buy a lottery ticket ... like NOW. (Take full advantage of that luck.) ;)

 

And to answer your question, since there is also a 1-2% of viral shedding, that means the likelihood of having another flareup after your body builds up antibodies against HSV-2 is minimal. Viral shedding after all is what eventually builds up to an actual herpes outbreak. So unless you're immuno-compromised, your immune system should suppress future oral HSV-2 outbreaks.

[HopefulVictoria]

@Adrial

 

Well isn't that some good news!