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HSV-2 auto-inoculation
My questions relate to the infection and auto-inoculation of HSV-2.
1) What percentage of persons infected do not have lesions upon initial infection?
2) Can you primary infect without visible lesions and then have lesions on a secondary infection site?
3) Although I understand that auto-inoculation is pretty common during a persons first infection, can auto-inoculation occur without contact with an obviously infected region? For example, when lesions are on the shaft of your penis can seminal fluid carry sufficient virus during this period to infect another area?
4) If auto-inoculated, do you get recurrences at the primary infection site or both? Equally often and similar timing?
Many thanks
1) What percentage of persons infected do not have lesions upon initial infection?
2) Can you primary infect without visible lesions and then have lesions on a secondary infection site?
3) Although I understand that auto-inoculation is pretty common during a persons first infection, can auto-inoculation occur without contact with an obviously infected region? For example, when lesions are on the shaft of your penis can seminal fluid carry sufficient virus during this period to infect another area?
4) If auto-inoculated, do you get recurrences at the primary infection site or both? Equally often and similar timing?
Many thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have never heard of a patient who had systemic symptoms of initial herpes without having recognized lesions. If it occurs, it is uncommon.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'll go straight to your questions.
1) Probably about half to 2/3 of people with new genital herpes get lesions. However, many of those are mild and not noticed, so up to 70-80% say they are asymptomatic. But many of those would see an abnormality if they knew what to look for.
2) I suppose it is possible to have an asymptomatic or unrecognized initial genital infection, and still have symptomatic auto-inoculation to another part of the body. But it has to be rare and I have never seen such a case.
3) HSV probably has to be massaged into the skin or tissues for infection to 'take'. There may be exceptions, but auto-inoculation by less direct transmission (e.g., via semen) either doesn't occur or is very rare.
4) Recurrent HSV-2 outbreaks are uncommon at non-genital sites. I have never seen a person with recurrent HSV-2 outbreaks of the eye, mouth (oral herpes), fingers, etc--even though they are the main sites of auto-inoculation in people with initial genital herpes. Only a tiny percentage of people with recurrent oral herpes have HSV-2, for example--even though several percent of people with primary genital herpes have oral as well as genital infection.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1) Probably about half to 2/3 of people with new genital herpes get lesions. However, many of those are mild and not noticed, so up to 70-80% say they are asymptomatic. But many of those would see an abnormality if they knew what to look for.
2) I suppose it is possible to have an asymptomatic or unrecognized initial genital infection, and still have symptomatic auto-inoculation to another part of the body. But it has to be rare and I have never seen such a case.
3) HSV probably has to be massaged into the skin or tissues for infection to 'take'. There may be exceptions, but auto-inoculation by less direct transmission (e.g., via semen) either doesn't occur or is very rare.
4) Recurrent HSV-2 outbreaks are uncommon at non-genital sites. I have never seen a person with recurrent HSV-2 outbreaks of the eye, mouth (oral herpes), fingers, etc--even though they are the main sites of auto-inoculation in people with initial genital herpes. Only a tiny percentage of people with recurrent oral herpes have HSV-2, for example--even though several percent of people with primary genital herpes have oral as well as genital infection.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Dr H,
Many thanks for your response. Just out of interest, do those who experience systemic effects normally have lesions (x & y), or is there no definitive link (x or y)?
Kind regards
Many thanks for your response. Just out of interest, do those who experience systemic effects normally have lesions (x & y), or is there no definitive link (x or y)?
Kind regards
Many thanks Dr H. Great site, great service.
Kind regards,
BoxOfRocks
Kind regards,
BoxOfRocks
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
