Genital Herpes Simplex 1

When you hear the word genital herpes simplex 1, what comes to your mind?

For common people, this type of infection is just another type of herpes that affects the genitals.

However, this whole term can be a little misleading or confusing since it doesn't really refer to any type of herpes infection.

This term can be a bit difficult to decipher especially when hearing it for the first time.

Hopefully, this article will provide a clearer picture of what it is all about.

What do they mean by genital herpes simplex 1?

Male Herpes Symptoms

Herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and many people have it without them even knowing. Some people are too afraid to consult a physician to correctly diagnose the symptoms so they just read from books or websites.

This could become problematic because they might associate the symptoms with something else, or they may interpret the data incorrectly.

This is true with using the term genital herpes type 1. You may have probably read somewhere that oral herpes is herpes type 1 and genital herpes is herpes type 2.

This is correct information. However, both virus types that are responsible for the infection on those parts can affect the opposite body part.

Genital herpes simplex type 1 could mean infection of HSV1 on the genitals, or infection of HSV2 on the mouth.

Here's a clearer way to put it:

  • Herpes virus type 1 can affect both the mouth and genital area, although it still prefers the mouth.
  • The same is true with herpes virus type 2, except it prefers the genital area.

Which is the correct term to use?

Normally, when the mouth area is affected with herpes, the condition is called oral herpes or herpes simplex type 1. On the same note, when the genital area is affected, the condition is called genital herpes or herpes simplex type 2.

What about when this virus affects the other body part?

When HSV1 affects the genital area through oral sex transmission, the condition is still called herpes simplex type 1. When HSV2 affects the oral area, still through oral sex transmission, the condition is still called herpes simplex type 2.

Mixing them up and coining new terms is incorrect since that term is not acknowledged as referring to a certain type of herpes simplex infection.

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