Is HSV-1 genital serious?
Genital HSV‐1, which almost always causes a true primary infection, is likely to be more severe during the initial episode. However, genital HSV‐1 causes fewer recurrences (few or none after the first year of infection) and is shed asymptomatically infrequently.
Is it common to have type 1 herpes?
Overview. Herpes infections are very common. Fifty to 80 percent of American adults have oral herpes (HSV-1), which causes cold sores or fever blisters in or around the mouth. Genital herpes, caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, affects one out of every six people in the U.S. age 14 to 49.
Is HSV-1 life long?
If you’ve ever had an outbreak of cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth or elsewhere on your face, then the likely culprit is HSV-1. These cold sores may recur as the infection is lifelong, but outbreaks are usually self-limited.
What can HSV-1 lead to?
Two viruses, herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2), can cause a genital herpes infection. The two viruses are closely related but not identical. HSV-1 is also the most common cause of oral herpes, or cold sores.
Can you pass HSV-1 genital to genital?
Transmission. HSV-1 is mainly transmitted via contact with the virus in sores, saliva or surfaces in or around the mouth. Less commonly, HSV-1 can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact to cause genital herpes.
How often do you get HSV-1 genital outbreaks?
How often do outbreaks occur? The number of outbreaks someone has varies from person to person. The average number of outbreaks for a person with genital HSV-2 is four to five per year. The average for genital HSV-1 is less than one outbreak per year.
Is HSV-1 or 2 worse?
While it’s an annoying condition, herpes rarely has any serious complications. That said, despite genital herpes carrying more social stigma and outbreaks happening more often, HSV-1 is potentially more dangerous.
When is HSV-1 contagious?
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are most contagious when sores are present, but can also be transmitted when no symptoms are felt or visible. For sexually active people, consistent and correct use of condoms is the best way to prevent genital herpes and other STIs.
How long do HSV-1 outbreaks last?
The herpes sores (lesions) typically last a week to 10 days. They most often occur on the lips, tongue, roof of the mouth, or the gums. The sores occur first as fluid-filled blisters that burst (rupture) after a day or 2. The sores will ooze fluid that has the virus.
Do I need to disclose HSV-1?
No, it is not illegal to not tell someone you have herpes. However, if you are in an intimate relationship with someone, it is best to let your partner know that you have an STD. This will allow you both to take precautions to minimize the spread of the STD.
Is HSV-1 contagious without an outbreak?
HSV-1 is very contagious. You can spread the virus even when you don’t have any symptoms of a cold sore, though you’re usually most contagious when you have them.