Women who have the herpes virus may have outbreaks of cold sores (labial herpes) or genital sores (vaginal herpes).
There are two kinds of herpes viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2). Herpes 1 usually prefers to manifest as a cold sore on the mouth or lips, while herpes 2 typically prefers to manifest as sores on the genitals. However, both viruses can infect either location.
Oral Sex Transmission of Oral Herpes 1
It is possible for a person with a cold sore herpes 1 infection to spread the virus to the vagina via oral sex. This is more likely if the second partner has not had a cold sore before. If the individual has had a cold sore, the person has some immunity and the virus is not likely to infect a second location on the body.
Herpes.com notes, “A prior infection with oral HSV-1 lowers the risk of acquiring genital HSV-1 even further. Studies show that genital HSV-1 infections almost always occur in people who have no prior infection with HSV of either type.”
A person with an open sore on the mouth or lips is contagious. However, even if there is no sore visible, the individual may still be contagious. HealthCentral.com provides statistics: “Studies show that people with recurrent oral HSV-1 shed virus in their saliva about 5% of the time even when they show no symptoms.”
Signs of Herpes Infection and Outbreak Facts
The symptoms of HSV1 and HSV2 infections are the same. Some women develop sores on their vagina, but others do not.
The Center for Disease Control points out that “when signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.”
Before and during an outbreak, some women feel like they are coming down with the flu, experiencing body aches and a headache.
Unfortunately, once acquired, there is no cure for genital herpes. Once acquired, the virus lodges in the nerve cells or spine and periodically causes herpes outbreaks.
The good news is the first outbreak is typically the worst and outbreaks usually decrease over time. In addition, HSV1 genital occurrences usually happen less frequently than HSV2 episodes.
Treatment of Herpes of Genitals
Genital herpes is treated with antiviral drugs. These medications can reduce the severity and duration of an outbreak. Treatment of infections caused by HSV1 and HSV2 is exactly the same. In fact, some doctors do not perform a blood test to determine which virus has caused the infection since treatment is not affected.
WedMD.com specifies that “there are three major drugs commonly used to treat genital herpes symptoms: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). These are all taken in pill form. Severe cases may be treated with intravenous (IV) acyclovir.”
Herpes Infection
The only way women can eliminate their risk of contracting a vaginal herpes infection is to avoid all sexual activity. If a woman is sexually active, she should not have oral sex with a partner who has an open sore on the mouth or lips. An individual, however, may be shedding the virus and not exhibit any symptoms.
Sources:
CDC.gov, “Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet” (accessed November 3, 2010).
HealthCentral.com, “The Truth About HSV1, HSV2, and Oral Sex” (accessed November 3, 2010).
Herpes.com, “The Truth about HSV1 and HSV2” (accessed November 3, 2010).
WebMD.com, “Genital Herpes: Overview & Facts” (accessed November 3, 2010).
Aimee Larsen Stoddard - Aimee is a professional writer/editor. She has a BA in English and is currently completing an MS in Theology.
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