Whats the difference between type 1 and type 2 herpes?

Question

I understand that one is cold sores etc... but if a cold sore can be transferred to the genitals... then aren't both types basically the same anyways? Is one easier to deal with than the other? What are the differences?

Answer 1

The best description I have found describing the differences and similarities between HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found here:

http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html

Take care

Answer 2

Ones around the mouth and ones around the genitals.

Answer 3

you're right..they are the exact same thing... but the type 2 - genital is classed as sexually transmitted because it spreads by skin contact.

You can treat both by taking one a day pill that you doc recommends and the outbreaks will stop.

Sometimes you don't even have to show any signs but you can spread it by what's called viral shedding..meaning, that the virus is on top of the skin but you can't see it or feel it.

That's where the pills do the trick, they don't let the virus get on top of the skin..so you can't spread it anywhere else or go anyone else.

Hope I explained it ok.. :o)

Answer 4

They ARE basically the same, and there are NO differences in symptoms between the two viruses.

And both viruses can infect either place - type 1 herpes, while still causing most cold sores orally, also causes 50-70% of new genital herpes infections.

The difference is that each is 'better adapted' to one particular place. So type 1 is 'better adapted' to the mouth, and type 2 is 'better adapted' to the genitals.

All this means is that when the virus is out of the area it is best adapted to it will cause an infection which recurs less frequently and is less infectious than when it is in its site of preference. It will also be less infectious and recur less frequently than an infection in the same place with the type that DOES prefer to be there.

So, type 1 on the mouth is more infectious than type 2 on the mouth would be. It also causes more outbreaks on the mouth than an oral type 2 infection would - type 1 orally is infectious about 15%+ of the time, compared to about 2% or less for oral type 2.

You cannot distinguish between oral type 1 or type 2, apart from by guessing from the number of outbreaks, but since they vary very much from person to person, you can only tell them apart by a blood test.

Type 1 orally is much more infectious than type 1 genitally, which is only infectious about 3% of the time, and recurs on average about once every two years. This is because type 1 prefers to be on the mouth.

Type 2 genitally is more infectious and recurs more frequently than type 1 does genitally - about 15% of the time, and causing several outbreaks a year on average. But again, since it varies from person to person, the only way to tell them apart is a blood test.

Though frequency of outbreaks varies, and the percentage of time the virus will be infectious, the actual symptoms of an outbreak are identical. Apart from location, there is no difference in symptoms between oral herpes and genital herpes. Similarly there is no difference in symptoms between type 1 and type 2.

Contrary to popular opinion, type 1 is no less likely to infect the genitals than type 2 is, IF the person being exposed has never had type 1 on the mouth before they were exposed genitally (if they have, they will have antibodies to the virus). Hence as the number of people catching type 1 on the mouth as children drops, the number of cases of genital type 1 is skyrocketing.

Type 2 is also happy to infect the mouth, especially if there is no prior infection there with type 1. A prior infection on the mouth with type 1 is believed to provide some protection against getting type 2 on the mouth.

Type 2 is in no way 'worse' than type 1. Each has its own preferred place on the body - but is happy to infect elsewhere to. And genital herpes is not in the slightest bit 'worse' than cold sores/oral herpes - especially when you remember up to 70% of genital herpes infections are caused by the same virus as oral herpes!

Oral herpes is as likely as genital to be passed on between outbreaks/cold sores. Many people are under the illusion that while genital herpes can be passed between outbreaks, oral herpes can't but that is false.

The most infectious form of herpes is actually type 1 on the mouth.

Answer 5

Yes, the Type 1, cold sores can be transmitted to the genital area. Usually doctors won't test for it to tell you what kind it is if you have genital herpes because it doesn't really matter.  

Answer 6

1 IS ORAL/MOUTH

2 IS THE GENITAL AREA