Need some help on what to do?!


Question:

Need some help on what to do?

my girlfriend told me that she has herpes simplex 1 i have no idea what it is but she told me if i dont want to catch it i cant kiss her ever is that true? and if so how would the relationship work without ever kissing


Answers:

This is from medline - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/...

There are two different strains of herpes simplex viruses:

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face. It is the most common herpes simplex virus and is usually acquired in childhood. HSV-1 often causes lesions inside the mouth such as cold sores (fever blisters) and is transmitted by contact with infected saliva. By adulthood, up to 90% of individuals will have antibodies to HSV-1.

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted. Symptoms include genital ulcers or sores. In addition to oral and genital lesions, the virus can also lead to complications such as meningoencephalitis (infection of the lining of the brain and the brain itself) or cause infection of the eye -- in particular the conjunctiva, and cornea. However, some people have HSV-2 but do not display symptoms. Up to 30% of U.S. adults have antibodies against HSV-2. Cross-infection of type 1 and 2 viruses may occur from oral-genital contact.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The oral or genital lesions usually heal on their own in 7 to 10 days unless an individual has an underlying condition that weakens the immune system, in which case the infection may be more severe and last longer.

Once infected, the virus spreads to nerve cells and stays in the body for the rest of a person's life . It may intermittently reactivate and cause symptoms, or flares. Recurrences may be precipitated by overexposure to sunlight, fever, stress, acute illness, and medications or conditions that weaken the immune system (such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or use of corticosteroids).

Basically it takes 7-10 days to clear up after that you should be free to kiss away providing the mouth sores are gone. Hope this has helped you.




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