Herpes (Simplex & Complex)?

Is it true that having oral sex with someone when you have a cold sore (fever blister) will give that person genital herpes?

Cold sores (herpes simplex virus one) causes about 30% of primary genital herpes infections. So yes, you can get genital herpes if someone who has cold sores gives the person oral sex.

Also, there is no herpes complex virus. Herpes simplex virus one is mainly cold sores (but it can cause genital herpes). Herpes simplex virus two is genital herpes (but it can sometimes cause cold sores).

Tiffany is somewhat correct. It's true you can get herpes by an open sore, but you can also get it by a closed sore, or no sores at all. I've read that 70% of people get herpes when their partner had no visible signs or symptoms (like sores). That's how I got it!

Yes, look it up on webmd.com

Yes!! this is true. Any open wound if contagious will spread if contacted with skin

Yes it is possible

yes it will.....i have a friend who gets them all the time....her doc said that when she can see a cold sore, or feel one coming on......do not engage in kissing or oral sex, this will spread to the other person.

ya be careful

yes it is very true... herpes simplex one and two are almost identical diseases.. they can be treated the same way simplex 1 just does not last as long but if the cold sore but it can be spread that way

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes, they are known as herpes simplex virus type 1 (H.S.V.1) and type 2 (H.S.V.2). Type 1 most commonly affects the lips and mouth, they usually appear as coldsores. Type 2 generally affects the genital and anal area. Genital herpes always used to be caused by type 2 but as more people are having oral sex, type 1 is also becoming common in the genital and anal area. These viruses are essentially identical and are caused by the same virus.

The herpes simplex virus is one of mankind鈥檚 most common infections, in fact it was known in Roman times and even mentioned by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet.

A large number of the adult population carry this virus and once infected the virus remains dormant within the individual for life, though it may occasionally become active again (recurrence).

How is genital herpes passed on?

Herpes is very contagious (the word herpes means to creep) and is passed on through skin contact with an infected person's sores or blisters. The virus will then affect the area where it enters the body, for example, if you have oral sex with someone who has a coldsore on their mouth, you are in danger of catching genital herpes. The virus can be passed on in the following ways:

Kissing.
Vaginal sex.
Oral sex.
Anal sex.
Hand transfer (e.g. masturbation).
The virus is highly infectious when sores and blisters are present, the risk of you passing the infection on or catching the infection between episodes is much lower. However, on rare occasions the virus can be passed on when no sores or blisters are present.

What can I do to avoid catching genital herpes?

Do not kiss a partner when they have coldsores around the mouth.
Avoid oral sex when a partner has mouth or genital sores.
Even with a condom genital or anal sex should be avoided when genital sores are present.
Never use saliva to wet contact lenses, if you have sores around your mouth.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the affected area.