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I Was Recently Told That I Have Genital Herpes .
Question: I was recently told that I have genital herpes. I have some questions that I would like to ask that I can't find clarification to online.
1) I have had spots on my penis since before I first lost my virginity. I have deduced that they are either Pearly Penile Papules or Fordyce Spots; I know that herpes can spread via direct contact with any outbreak on the skin. Can these papules or fordyce spots transmit the virus?
2) Can it be transmitted only through direct contact with an outbreak or are there any other ways? I have never had an outbreak, or at least have never noticed one; can the virus still transfer via sperm or female vaginal fluids?
3) What are the limits to contact? Can it only spread via contact where there is an outbreak or can outsiders still touch other, non-outbreaking pars of my body--can I still shake a persons hand?
4) Am I allowed to donate blood?
5) Can it be transferred via contact with blood? I.E., if I get in a fist fight and I spill blood, is there a chance that another person, mainly the aggressor, can get the disease just being in contact with my blood?
6) Can genital herpes travel via oral sex? If so and the virus is already spread to another person, could that person infect someone else via mouth to mouth kissing? If so, does this mean that genital herpes can appear near the mouth area and we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between whether or not it is genital or oral herpes?
7) If the virus transmits via skin, how does it penetrate the outer layers or the skin? I was under the impression that skin is so tight that many diseases can't enter. One such example is Ebola; I was told that the Ebola virus can infect a person via touch but only if it is exposed to an already existing opening, like a cavity or wound on the skin. Assuming that this is true, how can a virus like herpes infect someone, but Ebola can't?
Sorry for all of the questions, but my curiosity is nearly limitless.
1) I have had spots on my penis since before I first lost my virginity. I have deduced that they are either Pearly Penile Papules or Fordyce Spots; I know that herpes can spread via direct contact with any outbreak on the skin. Can these papules or fordyce spots transmit the virus?
2) Can it be transmitted only through direct contact with an outbreak or are there any other ways? I have never had an outbreak, or at least have never noticed one; can the virus still transfer via sperm or female vaginal fluids?
3) What are the limits to contact? Can it only spread via contact where there is an outbreak or can outsiders still touch other, non-outbreaking pars of my body--can I still shake a persons hand?
4) Am I allowed to donate blood?
5) Can it be transferred via contact with blood? I.E., if I get in a fist fight and I spill blood, is there a chance that another person, mainly the aggressor, can get the disease just being in contact with my blood?
6) Can genital herpes travel via oral sex? If so and the virus is already spread to another person, could that person infect someone else via mouth to mouth kissing? If so, does this mean that genital herpes can appear near the mouth area and we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between whether or not it is genital or oral herpes?
7) If the virus transmits via skin, how does it penetrate the outer layers or the skin? I was under the impression that skin is so tight that many diseases can't enter. One such example is Ebola; I was told that the Ebola virus can infect a person via touch but only if it is exposed to an already existing opening, like a cavity or wound on the skin. Assuming that this is true, how can a virus like herpes infect someone, but Ebola can't?
Sorry for all of the questions, but my curiosity is nearly limitless.
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and here is my answer to your questions:
1. The presence of pearly penile papules or Fordyce spots does not increase the chance for Herpes virus transmission
2. A person may have the virus even though he may not be aware of it. The first episode (when a person gets in contact with the virus for the first time) may be unnoticed by the patient and the patients get aware only of the outbreaks
3. Theoretically, any contact with the infected fluid may transmit the infection. So, if a person has herpes and has touched the fluids and soon after shakes your hand, he may transmit it. Practically, these short contacts rarely transmit the infection.
4. You are allowed to donate blood
5. Herpes virus is not transmitted by blood. It can be transmitted by kissing, touching areas that have infected fluid but not by contact with blood.
6. Genital herpes is caused mostly by HSV2 and oral herpes by HSV1. Oral intercourse may cause HSV1 to infect the genital areas and HSV2 to infect the mouth. It is not easy to tell the difference between HSV1 and HSV2 by just looking at the lesions. Testing the fluid may tell the difference.
7. As for the transmission, it is true that it is not easy for the virus to evade healthy skin. It can penetrate wounded skin, these do not need to be visible wounds, even minor damages to the epidermis (upper layer of the skin) suffice for transmission.
Furthermore, herpes virus infection happens in areas where skin meets mucosa. It is very easy for the virus to evade the mucosa and in recurrent outbreaks, the infection may travel through the nerves to the skin and cause skin lesions as well.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and here is my answer to your questions:
1. The presence of pearly penile papules or Fordyce spots does not increase the chance for Herpes virus transmission
2. A person may have the virus even though he may not be aware of it. The first episode (when a person gets in contact with the virus for the first time) may be unnoticed by the patient and the patients get aware only of the outbreaks
3. Theoretically, any contact with the infected fluid may transmit the infection. So, if a person has herpes and has touched the fluids and soon after shakes your hand, he may transmit it. Practically, these short contacts rarely transmit the infection.
4. You are allowed to donate blood
5. Herpes virus is not transmitted by blood. It can be transmitted by kissing, touching areas that have infected fluid but not by contact with blood.
6. Genital herpes is caused mostly by HSV2 and oral herpes by HSV1. Oral intercourse may cause HSV1 to infect the genital areas and HSV2 to infect the mouth. It is not easy to tell the difference between HSV1 and HSV2 by just looking at the lesions. Testing the fluid may tell the difference.
7. As for the transmission, it is true that it is not easy for the virus to evade healthy skin. It can penetrate wounded skin, these do not need to be visible wounds, even minor damages to the epidermis (upper layer of the skin) suffice for transmission.
Furthermore, herpes virus infection happens in areas where skin meets mucosa. It is very easy for the virus to evade the mucosa and in recurrent outbreaks, the infection may travel through the nerves to the skin and cause skin lesions as well.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Going back to my second question, can it be transmitted by contact with sperm? I've never had an outbreak on my skin, so is there a chance I may have not given it to someone else?
In my third question, you reference "infected fluid." If it cannot spread via blood then that must mean that blood is not infected. What 'fluids' can get infected?
To my fourth question, if I can donate blood can I donate organs, like a kidney, or does it depend on medical laws dependent on my region?
Lastly to my sixth question, so you are confirming that it is possible to spread genital herpes to the oral area. From there the HSV2 virus can infect other people via mouth to mouth kissing, correct?
On your final comment, can you elaborate a little more on the mucosa? What exactly is that, and where are these things usually located?
In my third question, you reference "infected fluid." If it cannot spread via blood then that must mean that blood is not infected. What 'fluids' can get infected?
To my fourth question, if I can donate blood can I donate organs, like a kidney, or does it depend on medical laws dependent on my region?
Lastly to my sixth question, so you are confirming that it is possible to spread genital herpes to the oral area. From there the HSV2 virus can infect other people via mouth to mouth kissing, correct?
On your final comment, can you elaborate a little more on the mucosa? What exactly is that, and where are these things usually located?
Brief Answer:
Detailed answers below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
Herpes infection can be transmitted with infected fluids such as saliva, vaginal secretions and also semen (sperm). Most patients are not aware of having herpes infection and literature says that there are cases when they do not know they gave the infection but they do transmit it.
Third question: infected fluids are saliva, vaginal secretions, and sperm
Fourth question: theoretically you can donate blood and organs. Practically, this does depend on regulations in your country.
Sixth question: if someone gets HSV2 in the mouth and kisses someone else while he/she has the active infection the HSV2 virus can be transmitted to the other person.
The mucosa covers the head of the penis (glans penis), vagina and inner lips and mouth. Mucosa does not have the thick top layer of keratin that is normally on the skin and protects it from infections, so infections can easily invade mucosa, even when it is intact.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Detailed answers below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
Herpes infection can be transmitted with infected fluids such as saliva, vaginal secretions and also semen (sperm). Most patients are not aware of having herpes infection and literature says that there are cases when they do not know they gave the infection but they do transmit it.
Third question: infected fluids are saliva, vaginal secretions, and sperm
Fourth question: theoretically you can donate blood and organs. Practically, this does depend on regulations in your country.
Sixth question: if someone gets HSV2 in the mouth and kisses someone else while he/she has the active infection the HSV2 virus can be transmitted to the other person.
The mucosa covers the head of the penis (glans penis), vagina and inner lips and mouth. Mucosa does not have the thick top layer of keratin that is normally on the skin and protects it from infections, so infections can easily invade mucosa, even when it is intact.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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