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What Causes HSV Type 2?

Posted on Mon, 2 Mar 2015

Question: When I was 8 or 9 I had some herpes simplex sores on the lips. Back then, they used a save. The sores went away and never came back. Today I had a blood test that showed Herpeselect HSV 1 and 2 IGG type specific AB. (1) was <0.90 and (2) was 4.77 High. I have no sores. Where do we go from here. Am I contagious?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HSV Type 2 can cause labial herpes. It can be passed on through Oral sex

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I have gone through your query and I have understood it

From this test result it is clear that you carry type 2 HSV and are negative for type 1 HSV.

IgG positivity simply means that it is an old infection.

-I would like to know whether have you ever had genital sores in past?
-Tell me in brief about your sexual history? Do you have single or multiple sexual partners?
-Did you had different sexual partners in past?

HSV type 2 commonly involves genital mucosa whereas HSV type 1 is more commonly a cause of oro-labial herpes but this distinction is now arbitrary and over the years any type of HSV can affect both Oral as well as Genital region.

This is because of changed sexual preferences over the years i.e peno-oral sex and oro-vaginal sex.

It is a possibility that you probably got type 2 HSV labial herpes from someone who had type 2 HSV, oro-labial herpes, through kissing when you were a child.

HSV type 2 traditionally causes genital herpes. Genital episodes due to type 2 HSV are usually severe and frequent (4-5 recurrences per year), particularly when infection is recent.

However, at sites other than genital mucosa e.g oral mucosa, which is not a natural site for type 2 HSV, episodes are nether severe enough nor are they as frequent as type 2, genital herpes.
This is probably the reason that you never had a recurrence of oro-labial herpes.

Herpes can be transmitted by close/ intimate contact, therefore you may pass on the virus to others through kissing and active oral sex e.g oro-vaginal sex.

Chances of transmission are more during an episode of active herpes sores. Nevertheless, chances are not nil even during clinically asymptomatic phases, though very less.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (23 minutes later)

I have had casual contact twice this year. I have no sores or open areas on my genitals or mouth.

Can this be cured or eliminated.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes stays for ever

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Sorry for some delay in my reply. I apologize. It was night, here in XXXXXXX

Herpes once acquired, stays for ever and it cannot be eliminated.

Though, risk of transmission can be reduced by avoiding sexual contact while one has active sores and also by using a condom.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 hours later)

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (36 minutes later)

One Final question. If I have no sores or open cuts, can I transmit the disease?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

There are very less chances that you can pass on the virus during clinically asymptomatic phases but the chances are not Zero.

Regards

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad