How can you tell the difference between herpes simplex 1 and 2

The CDC does not recommend herpes testing for people who have no symptoms. They point out that diagnosing genital herpes in someone lacking any symptoms does not lead to them making changes in their sexual choices. They are no more likely to use condoms or to refrain from having sex than if they hadn’t been tested.

Also, false-positive test results can happen. A false positive is a test result saying you have herpes when actually you do not.

Even if you have no symptoms of herpes or of any other sexually transmitted disease, though, you should talk frankly with your doctor or another healthcare provider about your sexual activities to see if you should be screened for STDs, including herpes.

There are some situations where herpes blood tests can be useful, says the CDC:

• If you have genital symptoms that could be related to herpes
• If you now have, or have had, a sex partner with genital herpes
• If you want a complete STD exam, especially if you have multiple sex partners

Testing Options for HSV

Your doctor can order one of two kinds of HSV tests:

1. A test of some material taken from a lesion and then grown in a culture
2. A DNA test
3. An antibody blood test for HSV-1 and HSV-2

“The DNA test is generally more accurate. It picks up more infections than a culture,” says Handsfield.

DNA tests have become the more common HSV test in the United States, he adds, and suggests that you ask your doctor to order one if you’re being tested for herpes.

“If a test is done, also ask your doctor to request a determination of the virus type,” he says, to see if you have HSV-1 or HSV-2.

“The natural course of the disease and the need for treatment for HSV-1 and HSV-2 are different,” Handsfield says. With HSV-1, recurrent outbreaks are much less likely, and if they do occur are likely to be much more widely spaced.

“Forty percent of people with HSV-1 have no recurrent outbreaks in the year or two after infection, and often none after that,” says Handsfield.

In contrast, an infection with HSV-2 that produces symptoms often leads to outbreaks about four to five times each year. And a person with HSV-2 is more contagious during symptom-free periods. “So transmission via sex is far more likely with HSV-2 than with HSV-1,” he says.

“If you have HSV-2, you are more likely to benefit from ongoing antiviral therapy,” says Handsfield, considering how frequent outbreaks can be with that form of the virus.

Remember, though, while a herpes blood test can help determine if you have herpes infection, the test cannot tell you who gave you the infection.

Herpes is a common virus that causes sores on your genitals and/or mouth. Herpes can be annoying and painful, but it usually doesn’t lead to serious health problems.

Herpes is a common infection.

Herpes is a super-common infection that stays in your body for life. More than half of Americans have oral herpes, and about 1 out of 6 Americans has genital herpes. So chances are a few people you know are living with herpes.

Herpes is caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make sores pop up on and around your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs, lips, mouth, throat, and rarely, your eyes.

Herpes is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or sores that come and go. Many people with herpes don’t notice the sores or mistake them for something else, so they might not know they’re infected. You can spread herpes even when you don’t have any sores or symptoms.

There’s no cure for herpes, but medication can ease your symptoms and lower your chances of giving the virus to other people. And the good news is, outbreaks usually become less frequent over time, and even though herpes can sometimes be uncomfortable and painful, it’s not dangerous. People with herpes have relationships, have sex, and live perfectly healthy lives.

What’s the difference between genital herpes and oral herpes?

Because there are 2 different kinds of herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) that can live on many body parts, lots of people are confused about what to call these infections. But it’s actually pretty simple:

• When you get either HSV-1 or HSV-2 on or around your genitals (vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs), it’s called genital herpes.

• When you get either HSV-1 or HSV-2 in or around your lips, mouth, and throat, it’s called oral herpes. Oral herpes sores are sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters.

HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes, and HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes — each strain prefers to live on its favorite area. But it’s totally possible for both types of herpes simplex to infect either area. For example, you can get HSV-1 on your genitals if someone with a cold sore on their lips gives you oral sex. And you can get HSV-2 in your mouth if you give oral sex to someone with HSV-2 on their genitals.

How do you get herpes?

Herpes is easily spread from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. You can get it when your genitals and/or mouth touch their genitals and/or mouth — usually during oral, anal, and vaginal sex.

Herpes can be passed even if the penis or tongue doesn’t go all the way in the vagina, anus, or mouth. You don’t have to cum to spread herpes. All it takes is some quick skin-to-skin touching. You can also get herpes from kissing someone who has oral herpes.

The skin on your genitals, mouth, and eyes can be infected easily. Other areas of skin may get infected if there’s a way for the herpes virus to get in, like through a cut, burn, rash, or other sores. You don’t have to have sex to get herpes. Sometimes herpes can be passed in non-sexual ways, like if a parent with a cold sore gives you a peck on the lips. Most people with oral herpes got it when they were kids.  A mother can pass genital herpes to a baby during vaginal childbirth, but that’s pretty rare.

You can spread herpes to other parts of your body if you touch a herpes sore and then touch your mouth, genitals, or eyes without washing your hands first. You can also pass herpes to someone else this way.

Herpes is most contagious when sores are open and wet, because fluid from herpes blisters easily spreads the virus. But herpes can also “shed” and get passed to others when there are no sores and your skin looks totally normal.

Most people get herpes from someone who doesn’t have any sores. It may live in your body for years without causing any symptoms, so it’s really hard to know for sure when and how you got it. That’s why so many people have herpes — it’s a pretty sneaky infection.

Because the virus dies quickly outside the body, you can’t get herpes from hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on toilet seats.

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