Is a Cold Sore Herpes?
There can often be a lot of confusion about whether cold sores and herpes are the same thing. This is because the two viruses are closely related and share similar symptoms and appearances.
And of course, when people think of herpes, they are usually thinking about genital herpes.
Cold sores and genital herpes are closely related, but they are not the same. They are caused by different versions of HSV (the herpes simplex virus).
There are two strains of the HSV virus: HSV-1 is responsible for cold sores while HSV-2 is the genital herpes virus.
So, What is Herpes?
Genital herpes is a STD (sexually transmitted disease) that is quite common and easily transferred between partners because of it's infectious nature.
A herpes outbreak appears as small welts and sores around the genitals. The sores normally last for a week or two before they heal.
The usual cycle is for a slight soreness, itchiness or tingling sensation which indicates that a sore is going to appear. Unsightly raised red lumps or a rash will then show, before cracking ad then scabbing. The sores usually heal without any scarring.
Can you get a cold sore from genital herpes?
It is quite easy to transfer genital herpes to the mouth during oral sex, and it is possible to transfer cold sores to the pubic region. Both forms of the HSV virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are very contagious and easily spread.
The virus can be transferred through both oral sex as well as vaginal sex, so cold sores and genital herpes can be spread from the sexual organs to the face and vice versa.
It is also possible to transfer the virus to different parts of your own body - as always, practice good hygiene when you have a herpes outbreak.
Make sure to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching the infected area to reduce the chance of spreading the infection.
How do you catch herpes?
It is quite easy to catch the virus.
Genital herpes is spread through skin to skin contact with an infected area. This is usually through sexual contact.
Once infected with HSV-2, the virus will remain dormant in a person, until it is activated by some form of a trigger and an outbreak occurs.
However there are many factors, such as certain triggers and the strength of a person’s immune system which will cause an outbreak of genital or oral herpes. Just because a person has been infected with the HSV virus, this does not mean that they will suffer from an outbreak of genital herpes or cold sores.
And of course, when people think of herpes, they are usually thinking about genital herpes.
Cold sores and genital herpes are closely related, but they are not the same. They are caused by different versions of HSV (the herpes simplex virus).
There are two strains of the HSV virus: HSV-1 is responsible for cold sores while HSV-2 is the genital herpes virus.
So, What is Herpes?
Genital herpes is a STD (sexually transmitted disease) that is quite common and easily transferred between partners because of it's infectious nature.
A herpes outbreak appears as small welts and sores around the genitals. The sores normally last for a week or two before they heal.
The usual cycle is for a slight soreness, itchiness or tingling sensation which indicates that a sore is going to appear. Unsightly raised red lumps or a rash will then show, before cracking ad then scabbing. The sores usually heal without any scarring.
Can you get a cold sore from genital herpes?
It is quite easy to transfer genital herpes to the mouth during oral sex, and it is possible to transfer cold sores to the pubic region. Both forms of the HSV virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are very contagious and easily spread.
The virus can be transferred through both oral sex as well as vaginal sex, so cold sores and genital herpes can be spread from the sexual organs to the face and vice versa.
It is also possible to transfer the virus to different parts of your own body - as always, practice good hygiene when you have a herpes outbreak.
Make sure to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching the infected area to reduce the chance of spreading the infection.
How do you catch herpes?
It is quite easy to catch the virus.
Genital herpes is spread through skin to skin contact with an infected area. This is usually through sexual contact.
Once infected with HSV-2, the virus will remain dormant in a person, until it is activated by some form of a trigger and an outbreak occurs.
However there are many factors, such as certain triggers and the strength of a person’s immune system which will cause an outbreak of genital or oral herpes. Just because a person has been infected with the HSV virus, this does not mean that they will suffer from an outbreak of genital herpes or cold sores.