Probability of spreading oral herpes?!
Question:
I have had fever blisters ever since i was little. I've always been unsure of how contagious they are, and now I get the impression I could spread them to anybody I have intimate physical contact with. Are they so contagious, even *without* an outbreak, that i need to tell everybody I've ever kissed before that they could potentially be spreading oral herpes as well as to other areas? My fever blisters heal in two days with medication. Is the healing time that quick for genital herpes?
People with a medical background answering this question would be more helpful.Thanks!
Answers:
I am sorry to say but Mike is WRONG:
There are two types of Herpes, Herpes simplex type I or II. Either type can infect the mouth or genitals (if you're really unlucky you can have 4 lifelong infections going at the same time: HSV1 and 2 in the upper body, HSV1 and 2 in the lower body. This would be very rare). When your incfected, the virus "hides" in the nervous system between outbreaks. It will protect you from a new infection of the same type, not of another type.
Only about 25% of Americans over the age of 12 DO NOT have antibodies against one of the two (standard test for exposure and infection).
HSV1 is extremely prevalent (very easy to pass on, quite innocently, just by an injudicious kiss to a baby). Most everybody (up to 90% of the population) has antibodies against HSV1 by the time they're 50.
About 20 to 30% of the population has antibodies against HSV2, more women than men (infection is easier for females), but HSV1 is fast becoming a major cause of genital herpes.
Most people with HSV1 have just "fever blisters". Some have it bad, a terrible rash from the nose down to the chest, inside the mouth, it looks like a case of pox. It can last a few days to over a week. Genital herpes is basically the same on the genitals, blisters and lesions, individually different how bad.
Now about transmission: It mostly happens when you have a blister/blisters going, through direct skin-to-skin contact. Avoid physical contact with the area from the time of the first symptoms (tingling, itching, burning) until all sores are completely healed, not just scabbed-over. Also try to prevent self-infection to other areas of your body. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch a sore. Better yet, don't touch the sores.
Unfortunately, the virus can sometimes spread , when no signs or symptoms are present. This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission." Often people don't know they are infected, these people may have symptoms so mild they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes. They can also spread it. Still, asymptomatic transmission appears to be far less likely than spreading the virus when lesions are present.
Other Answers:
I yeild to Kate below.
I'm a nurse with a background in STD health. You CAN spread this virus even if you don't have a lesion. You CAN give someone herpes on their genitals from the lesion on your mouth. Don't share drinks or eating utensils with anyone. There are antiviral medications out there to reduce outbreaks but most people don't want to or can't afford it. We figured it out once and it was over $200 a month. My best advise would be to take L-lysine 1000mg daily for prevention and if you get a lesion, increas to 3000mg daily. L-lysine is available anywhere you get nutritional suppliments. It is an amino acid. Make sure you get the L-lysine and not the H-lysine. Let me know if I can help in any other way.
Source(s):
Nurse
Answers: