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Cold Sore (HSV) Curiosity
I'll start with a bit of information about myself before asking my questions. I am a 23 year old female, I am not sexually active, have never had a cold sore nor have I known anyone close to me that has had one. (Although, I think my aunt may have been exposed to both viruses, if that's even possible. Is it?) I have read that about 50% of all Americans (some places say 80%) have the HSV-1 virus or have at least been exposed to the virus. Now I doubt that I have been exposed or am a carrier, however I'd like to know for sure and am thinking about getting tested. Should I? And if so, what test is best? I've also read that a cold sore can also be transmitted by the HSV-2 virus which is considered to be the worst of the two. What is the difference between a HSV-1 cold sore and a HSV-2 cold sore? Are there any ways of preventing exposure to this virus ? (In other words what sort of precautions should I take to avoid contracting this virus, besides not kissing someone with a cold sore of course)? How can having the HSV-1 (cold sore) affect you and or your lifestyle? What sort of precautions should you take if you have the cold sore virus?
I ask these questions because although I studied to become an Emergency Medical Technician, I decided to pursue a career in theater (after I more study of course, will probably minor in nursing) which has been a long time passion of mine and I know that on occasion I may have to kiss people that I am not personally acquainted with and want to get acquainted with the risks that come with the job as well as gain more knowledge on this little understood issue.
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time out of their day to answer my questions, especially since there are quite a few (I think about 8) questions. I'd like you to know that your answers are truly appreciated.
CuriousMedGirl :)
I ask these questions because although I studied to become an Emergency Medical Technician, I decided to pursue a career in theater (after I more study of course, will probably minor in nursing) which has been a long time passion of mine and I know that on occasion I may have to kiss people that I am not personally acquainted with and want to get acquainted with the risks that come with the job as well as gain more knowledge on this little understood issue.
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time out of their day to answer my questions, especially since there are quite a few (I think about 8) questions. I'd like you to know that your answers are truly appreciated.
CuriousMedGirl :)
Thank you both for your responses. I truly appreciate the information each of you have provided and will keep it in mind! And thank you both for the link, I will definitely be checking it out and will read more into it. Thanks for the good wishes as well.
Welcome to the fourms and I am glad you are asking for what you don't know. Given that you maybe in nursing as well the information here I think will serve you well in your future of nursing and providing aide to your future patients.
First of all get a glass of milk. Let's do some basics first. I would like to open with a website that has some GREAT information and is really accurate about HSV. You can read this after you read my post. Here is the website: http://ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm (This has a lot of great info on all STD's not just HSV).
Now to answer question #1: Although, I think my aunt may have been exposed to both viruses, if that's even possible. Is it?
There is no such thing as being "exposed" to herpes. You either have it or you don't. Herpes isn't like a virus that will eventually be fought off by your immune system or leave and not come back. Once HSV has been transmitted it stays there for life. The body doesn't make the immune response to fighting it until after it has reached the nerves and is hiding. One is a carrier once they are infected with HSV.
Your stat of about 50% of the US Adult population has it. Most of us won't make it to the old folks home without getting it.
Question #2 and #3: Should I? And if so, what test is best?
You are asking on a herpes forum if you should get tested? The answer is going to be yes! Many of us get HSV-1 as a child from our family (that kiss from auntie or our some cousin) and we never will recall a cold sore. Many people don't know they have HSV until they get tested. This applies to both types. Some people don't get a reoccurance of a cold sore to know they have HSV. Though they can still transmit the virus as they still virial shed the virus (about 18% of days a year for HSV-1 oral). The testing you want is a type specific igg blood test. Do not get an IgM test for herpes (you can tell your doctor to not order the IgM if they plan on it) it is worthless for herpes. Only get a type specific igg test. You can use that wording with your provider. It's not a bad idea to do with your sexual STD testing routinely should you become sexually active.
Question #4: What is the difference between a HSV-1 cold sore and a HSV-2 cold sore?
This is a little nomenclature play here. Herpes (HSV) has two seperate types (1 and 2). The virus when active creates a lesion on the oral location is often referred to as a "cold sore" or "fever blister". Regardless of the type of virus it is always going to be a "cold sore" or "fever blister". They really aren't that different as far as look. The difference is the virus type causing the lesions themself. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are two seperate viruses. I know that this part is going above what you asked but it is I think important to note that HSV-2 is rare in the oral location. For lack of a long response it is easy to say it doesn't like the oral location.
It is important to note that one virus isn't better than the other. Though the locations of the two types makes virial shedding (when no symptoms are active but the virus is actively on the skin) is less if the virus isn't in the preferred area. For example HSV-2 orally has a lower virial shedding rate compared to HSV-1 in the same location. HSV-2 genitally has a higher shedding rate than HSV-1 genitally.
Question #5 (#6 was omitted because it is a repeat of this one just worded differently):Are there any ways of preventing exposure to this virus ?
This is the challenge with HSV. You can have transmission when you have no active symptoms. HSV is transmitted with direct skin-to-skin contact. The risk is low on kissing but can and does happen. How can you prevent this is either avoid kissing or having a barrier present to prevent skin to skin contact. With kissing no such item is really out there for that (I should say that I know of). Kissing is low risk though you aren't going to know all the time. Chances are in the time you have been kissing people that you have kissed at least a few people who have had herpes. Prevention is best when you don't kiss if someone has a coldsore present.
Question #7 (Question #8 is a mix of the two above and this one as well so its omitted as well): How can having the HSV-1 (cold sore) affect you and or your lifestyle?
For the most part this is something that is the social stigma around herpes. HSV is a skin condition (just like having Chicken Pox). Though the difference is HSV reoccurs as where chicken pox for the most part doesn't. It's a skin problem that reappears for some people. It is not deadly and won't kill you like HIV would. Knowing your HSV status is helpful so that you can reduce risk if you have something going on orally from prevention of transmitting HSV to another partner (oral or genital).
If you think about it in all honesty its nothing more than an cowardly virus that comes out when you don't want it to be there. But other than that nothing else wrong with it.
Hope this helps and feel free to ask more. Go read that site I provided as well. Good luck in your career choices!
First of all get a glass of milk. Let's do some basics first. I would like to open with a website that has some GREAT information and is really accurate about HSV. You can read this after you read my post. Here is the website: http://ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm (This has a lot of great info on all STD's not just HSV).
Now to answer question #1: Although, I think my aunt may have been exposed to both viruses, if that's even possible. Is it?
There is no such thing as being "exposed" to herpes. You either have it or you don't. Herpes isn't like a virus that will eventually be fought off by your immune system or leave and not come back. Once HSV has been transmitted it stays there for life. The body doesn't make the immune response to fighting it until after it has reached the nerves and is hiding. One is a carrier once they are infected with HSV.
Your stat of about 50% of the US Adult population has it. Most of us won't make it to the old folks home without getting it.
Question #2 and #3: Should I? And if so, what test is best?
You are asking on a herpes forum if you should get tested? The answer is going to be yes! Many of us get HSV-1 as a child from our family (that kiss from auntie or our some cousin) and we never will recall a cold sore. Many people don't know they have HSV until they get tested. This applies to both types. Some people don't get a reoccurance of a cold sore to know they have HSV. Though they can still transmit the virus as they still virial shed the virus (about 18% of days a year for HSV-1 oral). The testing you want is a type specific igg blood test. Do not get an IgM test for herpes (you can tell your doctor to not order the IgM if they plan on it) it is worthless for herpes. Only get a type specific igg test. You can use that wording with your provider. It's not a bad idea to do with your sexual STD testing routinely should you become sexually active.
Question #4: What is the difference between a HSV-1 cold sore and a HSV-2 cold sore?
This is a little nomenclature play here. Herpes (HSV) has two seperate types (1 and 2). The virus when active creates a lesion on the oral location is often referred to as a "cold sore" or "fever blister". Regardless of the type of virus it is always going to be a "cold sore" or "fever blister". They really aren't that different as far as look. The difference is the virus type causing the lesions themself. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are two seperate viruses. I know that this part is going above what you asked but it is I think important to note that HSV-2 is rare in the oral location. For lack of a long response it is easy to say it doesn't like the oral location.
It is important to note that one virus isn't better than the other. Though the locations of the two types makes virial shedding (when no symptoms are active but the virus is actively on the skin) is less if the virus isn't in the preferred area. For example HSV-2 orally has a lower virial shedding rate compared to HSV-1 in the same location. HSV-2 genitally has a higher shedding rate than HSV-1 genitally.
Question #5 (#6 was omitted because it is a repeat of this one just worded differently):Are there any ways of preventing exposure to this virus ?
This is the challenge with HSV. You can have transmission when you have no active symptoms. HSV is transmitted with direct skin-to-skin contact. The risk is low on kissing but can and does happen. How can you prevent this is either avoid kissing or having a barrier present to prevent skin to skin contact. With kissing no such item is really out there for that (I should say that I know of). Kissing is low risk though you aren't going to know all the time. Chances are in the time you have been kissing people that you have kissed at least a few people who have had herpes. Prevention is best when you don't kiss if someone has a coldsore present.
Question #7 (Question #8 is a mix of the two above and this one as well so its omitted as well): How can having the HSV-1 (cold sore) affect you and or your lifestyle?
For the most part this is something that is the social stigma around herpes. HSV is a skin condition (just like having Chicken Pox). Though the difference is HSV reoccurs as where chicken pox for the most part doesn't. It's a skin problem that reappears for some people. It is not deadly and won't kill you like HIV would. Knowing your HSV status is helpful so that you can reduce risk if you have something going on orally from prevention of transmitting HSV to another partner (oral or genital).
If you think about it in all honesty its nothing more than an cowardly virus that comes out when you don't want it to be there. But other than that nothing else wrong with it.
Hope this helps and feel free to ask more. Go read that site I provided as well. Good luck in your career choices!
Almost all oral herpes infections are due to hsv1. You can have hsv2 orally but not many folks have it orally. those who do, don't have recurrences often typically as well as don't shed the virus orally very much at all either.
If you want to be tested for herpes to know your own general status, you want a type specific herpes igg blood test done. If you can get a captia test or the herpeselect, those have the best proven track records. they are offered by focus labs and quest labs, 2 of the biggest labs in the US.
Statistically 1 out of every 2-3 people you meet will have hsv1 orally. It's THAT common. It's most commonly transmitted as an adult through romantic type kissing. http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm has terrific info on it for more reading.
grace
If you want to be tested for herpes to know your own general status, you want a type specific herpes igg blood test done. If you can get a captia test or the herpeselect, those have the best proven track records. they are offered by focus labs and quest labs, 2 of the biggest labs in the US.
Statistically 1 out of every 2-3 people you meet will have hsv1 orally. It's THAT common. It's most commonly transmitted as an adult through romantic type kissing. http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm has terrific info on it for more reading.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
