Oral Hsv 2 - How Common?

Grace,

I've done a lot of research on this site and your information and knowledge has been invaluable.  My question is regarding Oral HSV 2 and how common it is.  I've read repeatedly (from both yourself and from the Dr's in the experts forum) that it is rare.  I believe you stated that around 3% of all oral infections are due to hsv 2.  However, I came across a thread where Dr. Handsfield states the following: "Initial oral HSV-2 infections are not rare, but recurrences are uncommon.  A substantial minority of people who present with initial genital HSV-2 infections also have oral infection, but they generally don't have recurrent oral outbreaks"  This seems to go against what has been previously stated.  So, I guess i'm just looking for some clarification.  Thanks for your help and below is a link to the Dr's post.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV-1--Oral-Sex/show/687167

[Mistakeguy789]

Oral HSV-2 is uncommon in people because quite honestly HSV-2 doesn't really like the oral site.  I think what Dr. H was saying was basically that the inital infection for if you have HSV-2 Gentially and Oral isn't rare at some points.  The poster was asking about both sites being infected at the same time.  To which Dr. H replied that HSV-1 doesn't typically work that way but HSV-2 does sometimes work that way.  HSV-2 orally does not show up as much as say an HSV-1 Oral infection would.  

However, I would wait for grace's further input to see if I got it right.

[gracefromHHP]

I believe it's 10% of all newly acquired hsv2 genital infections also include a hsv2 oral infection if I'm recalling the study correctly.  this fully support HHH's statement of a "substantial minority".  Hsv2 oral infections rarely reoccur ( once in a lifetime on average ) and don't shed much ( 1% of days ).  

the 3% of all oral herpes infections being hsv2 means out of everyone who has oral herpes, only about 3% of them have hsv2 orally.

I know, can get confusing sometimes but the take home message is still the same - you could have hsv2 orally but odds are always in your favor that you don't. Even if you do, it's not the issue compared to hsv2 genital infections as far as transmission to a partner.  make more sense?

grace

[anotherworrier123]

Thanks Grace.  This tends to confirm my thoughts that getting oral hsv 2 would be considered rare.