There are a lot of common myths out there about herpesviruses and what happens where on the body. Hopefully, this article will debunk some of those myths and clear up some confusion.
Did you know that there are over 80 different varieties of herpesviruses in the animal kingdom? It is estimated that eight of these are responsible for herpes-related infections in humans. But herpes as we usually know it is caused by one of two quite similar viruses, either Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV-1) or Herpes Simplex Virus II (HSV-2). These two herpes varieties look the same under an electron microscope and also share a similar set of symptoms. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are considered sexually transmitted, but this is not the only way they can be passed. This is particularly true of HSV-1, which can easily be contracted orally through casual contact.
The terms 'oral herpes' and 'genital herpes' really refer to the location of a herpes infection rather than the virus responsible for it. The old statement that HSV-1 stays above the waist and HSV-2 stays below is simply not true. Either virus type can cause an outbreak at either the mouth or the genitals, as well as other areas of the body.
Oral herpes (sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters) is usually contracted by young children as an asymptomatic infection. This is generally transmitted from brief casual contact, such as social kissing with relatives or other kids. Less frequently, it is caused at older ages by mouth or hand-then-mouth contact with a genital herpes site. Many people who become infected with oral herpes as children have occasional recurrences throughout their adolescent and adult years. It is estimated that 80-90% of the American adult population has oral herpes.
Oral area infections can be caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2. However, HSV-1 is the primary culprit. It is not clear why, but HSV-1 is usually marked by milder symptoms and less frequent outbreaks than HSV-2. This is true of herpes at both oral and genital sites.
Genital herpes is thought to be caused by HSV-2 in nearly 90% of all cases. It is nearly always transmitted through sex with an infected partner or through oral sex by a partner who has a cold sore. One expert claims that the average recurrence rate for genital herpes caused by HSV-1 is about once a year compared to HSV-2, which averages 4-5 outbreaks a year. However, lifestyle and self-care can also have a strong impact on outbreak frequency and severity.
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