the difference, if there is one, between oral herpes (HSV-1) and genital herpes (HSV-2) aside from the fact that one virus grows in the oral area and the other around the genitals.

Question

If oral herpes (HSV-1) can turn into genital herpes (HSV-2), does that mean the genital herpes (that was originally oral herpes) is the same as the one that was always genital herpes? and vice versa

i’ve read that you can get genital herpes if someone with oral herpes who is having an outbreak -without specifics- was around your genitals, and vice versa you get oral herpes from being around someone with genital herpes’ genitals if they had an outbreak. what i want to know is if this is true, and if it is, are they the same exact virus except living in different spots?

sorry i hope this isnt confusing because it is to me

In: 13

Answer 1

Oral herpes is herpes on the mouth. Genital herpes is herpes on the genitals.

Either virus strain can take either form. It’s just a question of where the exposure takes place. Thinking that HSV-1 is specifically oral herpes is a common mistake.

Answer 2

Hsv1 and hsv2 are different strands of the virus. You can have genital hsv1. Hsv2 seems to prefer genitals too elsewhere.

You can check out the herpes subreddit too, good community.