What Is The Difference Between Genital Herpes And Cold Sores

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores and Genital Herpes)

What Is Herpes? Herpes simplex refers to a group of viruses that infect humans. Like herpes zoster (shingles, see Fact Sheet 509 ), herpes simplex causes painful skin eruptions. Itching and tingling are usually the first signs, followed by a blister that breaks open. The infection stays dormant in nerve cells. This is called "latency." However, it can become active again with no warning. Herpes can be active without symptoms or visible signs....

Ask the Experts

cold sores = genital herpes?

are they both the same virus? aren't they two different simplex herpes types? in oral sex, can someone with a cold sore on the lips transmit the herpes virus to another person and have it manifest as genital herpes and/or lip cold sores (even...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV) that are categorized as HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 generally causes what are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters: those uncomfortable, sometimes painful bumps you get around your mouth that... Read more »

canker or cold sore, is either infectious?The Body: Rick Sowadsky M.S.P.H., C.D.S, Answers to Safe Sex Questions

What's the difference between canker or cold sores? Can your partner get infected from your canker or cold sores? If you've got either what precautions can be taken to prevent infecting your partner?...

Response from Rick Sowadsky, M.P.H.

Nevada State Health Division AIDS Program

Hi. Thank you for your question.Canker sores and cold sores are two different things. Canker sores are open,painful ulcers inside the mouth. The cause is currently not known, so wecan't way whether these are infectious or not. These ulcers... Read more »

Genital herpes and HIV

Dr Bob..Can you please help me clarify? I am getting different answers from different doctors. Would recently getting genital herpes make a dramatic increase in my viral load (double)? ...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,Yes, it's possible. In fact almost any concurrent infection from a common cold to and STD can cause the viral load to shoot up. Hopefully it is only a transient increase, but I'd keep a close eye on it. If it doesn't come back down... Read more »

Genital herpes: how do we know for sure?

Dr. Kull,Please post this question, your answer will help a lot of us to clear up some of the comfusions about HSV2. So how can we ever know if we are infected with genital herpes? In The Body, it states that 80 of the people are unaware that they...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

1. Don't know. It's difficult to explain why people respond differently to infections like herpes, but they just do. There are so many different factors that will influence the course of infection, and this applies to so many different... Read more »

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STD? cold sores, herpes???

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

i've seen how cold sores are active in hiv poz individuals. but i thought cold sores were common in people with a herpes strain? and the cold sores would be were you came into contact with the herpes virus. ie you won't get herpes on your lip if... Read more »

Cold sores /hiv infection

Posted by bug, 2 Replies

Hello,
I recently had sex with a prostitute and was so drunk(and stupid) i couldn't think of any possible dangers.
The prostitute had several cold sores on her body. We had unprotected oral sex (lasted less than a minute) and 2 times protected vaginal... Read more »

Cold/Canker Sores

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I had a quick question about cold and canker sores. I've had 2 cold sores and 1 canker sore in the past year. Does this seem abnormal, and if so are these possible symptoms of HIV. I has one possible exposure over a year ago, I got tested outside... Read more »

Genital Herpes

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

Any positive guys out there who have also dealt with genital herpes? I'm curious to know how you've handled the issue in dating and sexual situations. How do you tell someone you're HIV-positive AND have genital herpes? Read more »

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