HSV & HIV

[Ashley]

I often read that people with HSV are at higher risk of contracting HIV. I don't really understand what this means. Can anyone explain?

[victoriaxxx]

If you look up any STD.. You are at higher risk for HIV.

 

LIke Chlamydea for example. That is treatable.. But when untreated it attacks the immune system. && if you know about HIV it lowers the immune system tremendously because that is what it attacks..

[victoriaxxx]

Also because HIV can be spread blood to blood, or with any open wounds, when you have those blisters they open up.. Which can cause you to get HIV.

 

http://www.aidsmap.com/Herpes/page/1044860/

[victoriaxxx]

I love this Go Ask Alice Website...

 

http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/herpes-increases-risk-getting-hiv

[HerryTheHerp]

Ashley, there are several reasons for that, and believe me, I'm doing a lot of research on it right now because I'm still within the window following my recent acquisition of HSV2.

 

HSV1 doesn't really increase the risk all that much. If it did, the whole country would have HIV. HSV2 on the other, does. Why is that? No one really knows, but here's some summaries and theories:

 

There are some studies that suggest HSV2 increases the number of white blood cells that are circulating. These are the cells HIV attaches itself to. When you have a blister and it heals, those white blood cells hang around the site where the blister was. They stay there permanently. This means that site becomes a potential site of infection.

 

Also, HSV2 opens up blisters. This makes it possible for direct fluid transfer. Open wounds make it easier for HIV to get into your bloodstream if they or the fluid they contain comes into direct contact with a mucous membrane or a wound that you may have.

 

Finally, there was one study that showed HSV2 increases the viral load of someone who also has HIV. Higher viral load = easier transmission. This is a single study. Other studies have not shown a correlation between HSV2 and higher viral loads. As a result, scientists aren't entirely sure if this is true or not.

 

Bottom line: If you have HSV2, you've got to be extra careful just to be on the safe side.