HSV-1 infects 48% of American’s age 14-49 and HSV-2 infects 11.9%. People with HSV-2 are more likely to benefit from suppressive antiretroviral therapy to prevent outbreaks and protect sexual contacts. In addition to the more common outbreaks, HSV-2 is also more likely to be transmitted even when there are no active sores.īecause the viruses behave in different ways, they are treated differently.

On the other hand, people with an initial symptomatic outbreak caused by HSV-2 will have on average four recurrent outbreaks per year. Plus, people who do have delayed outbreaks usually only have one or two over a three year period. Genital HSV-1 is much less likely to cause recurrent outbreaks, with 40% of people never having one. So essentially both viruses, HSV-1 and 2, can cause sores on either the mouth or genitals, but they have different courses and different recommended treatment.

This major increase is likely due to a few factors, one of which is an increase in oral sex practices. However, more recently, studies show about half of all genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-1.

These two strains are different, but related, viruses. HSV-2 was called “Genital Herpes,” predominantly causing sores on the genitals. Historically, HSV-1 was called “Oral Herpes” usually causing sores on the mouth. Let’s start with the basics: is a cold sore really the same thing as a blister on your privates? Well, that depends. What’s the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2? There are a lot of herpes myths out there so we are here to clear up the facts. And that’s a lot of people, considering about 1 in 6 people in the US have genital herpes. In reality, genital herpes symptoms are typically so mild that an estimated 87% of Americans with the virus don’t even know they’re infected. The fear and shame associated with the infection have turned it into a monster with more power than it deserves. When people think of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), herpes (herpes simplex virus – HSV) is usually one of the first things that comes to mind.

Can you get hsv2 from touching