Sexual Health Buzz

Here is the Question

I was told I have HSV2 via a blood test, but I have no idea where the virus originated from since I have not had symptoms. I have had chapped lips, is it possible that that is wear my virus is? It feels like dry skin, peeling and small bumps on the lips. Having read your site you say that it is usually hard to have HSV2 on the mouth. I worry because I would hate to pass the virus to children or a partner just by kissing them. I know this may sound stupid, but I just worry about passing it on.

Here is my Answer

I personally would like to know what your doctor told you because I always understood it to be that HSV-2 prefers the genital area and that Oral HSV-2 is not all that common.

I have also always been told that if somebody were to test positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 that statistically it would mean that the person has Oral HSV-1 and Genital HSV-2.

A person that tests positive for HSV-1 could have oral HSV-1 OR genital HSV-1. If you don’t have any outbreaks that can be cultured it would be hard to tell.

Here’s more on the differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2 along with their location of preference