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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Is Oral And Genital Herpes Transmitted?

I have a friend who has been diagnosed with oral and genital herpes. He can only remember a "rash" a couple of times in his life...he has had blood tests twice and both times it was positive. He has never had a cold sore. His doctor has prescribed meds.. The question...how casually is either type transmittable. He is concerned about accidentally transmitting to his grandchildren by kissing.
Thu, 9 Apr 2015
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), of which there are two types. Type 1 (HSV-1) usually causes oral herpes, an infection of the lips and mouth. Symptoms are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters.In most cases, genital herpes is caused by the second type of herpes virus (HSV-2).

HSV-1 is usually passed from person to person by kissing. HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex (fellatio, cunnilingus, analingus). If this happens, it becomes a case of genital herpes.

HSV-2 is most often passed by vaginal sex and anal sex. But just as HSV-1 can infect the genitals and cause genital herpes, HSV-2 can pass from one person's genitals to another person's mouth, resulting in oral herpes.

HSV-2 cannot survive long on a non-living surface, so there is no real risk of getting it from a toilet seat or hot tub, for example.

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How Is Oral And Genital Herpes Transmitted?

Herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), of which there are two types. Type 1 (HSV-1) usually causes oral herpes, an infection of the lips and mouth. Symptoms are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters.In most cases, genital herpes is caused by the second type of herpes virus (HSV-2). HSV-1 is usually passed from person to person by kissing. HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex (fellatio, cunnilingus, analingus). If this happens, it becomes a case of genital herpes. HSV-2 is most often passed by vaginal sex and anal sex. But just as HSV-1 can infect the genitals and cause genital herpes, HSV-2 can pass from one person s genitals to another person s mouth, resulting in oral herpes. HSV-2 cannot survive long on a non-living surface, so there is no real risk of getting it from a toilet seat or hot tub, for example. i hope this was helpful Take Care