Does non-symptomatic herpes tend to spread as non-symptomatic herpes?!
Question: They say 20%+ of the population has herpes simplex 2, and most don't know it. If a person has herpes, but has never had an outbreak, and manages to pass it to a partner, is that partner also likely to not have any symptoms, or does it just depend on their body? By the same token, if someone catches it from a person who gets horrible outbreaks 5 times a year, do they tend to also have horrible outbreaks? Do they know what makes some people break out into sores, and others not? Are there "weak" strains of herpes, or is it just the luck of how your body handles it?
Answers: They say 20%+ of the population has herpes simplex 2, and most don't know it. If a person has herpes, but has never had an outbreak, and manages to pass it to a partner, is that partner also likely to not have any symptoms, or does it just depend on their body? By the same token, if someone catches it from a person who gets horrible outbreaks 5 times a year, do they tend to also have horrible outbreaks? Do they know what makes some people break out into sores, and others not? Are there "weak" strains of herpes, or is it just the luck of how your body handles it?
It is just how your body handles it. People can never get outbreaks, then pass it to their partner who then gets frequent outbreaks - or the other way round.
My boyfriend has only had one outbreak this year, I don't think he had any last least. I had eight last year. Go figure.
My grandma got cold sores. She got terrible ones all over her top lip, right the way up to her nostrils. My Mum caught cold sores from her, but hasn't had one in 40 years. The most she is had in that time is the tingle and itch on her lip, which then goes away again.
The only thing that triggers outbreaks for me is my own immune system being low - it is all to do with how tired I am, whether I have a cold, etc. Unfortunately I work with the general public who are always giving me colds. I also suffer from bouts of depression, have done since I was a teenager, and I find the depression causes me to get more outbreaks.
Everyone is different...each person's body handles each illness differently....one may be "weak" in one person and strong in another...there are things you can do to lessen your outbreaks though. Like avoiding prolonged sun expossure, stress, not getting enough sleep, eating chocolate, etc.
It's a matter more of your personal immune system. Many people have inactive HSV infections for years, but have sudden outbreaks when stressed (injury or illness). Your response to the virus would not be the same as someone with a compromised immune system (like someone on immunosuppressant drugs after organ transplant) or with HIV.
So just because you are asymptomatic doesn't mean that the next person you pass it on to would also be asymptomatic.
I have seen organ transplant patients die from a sudden activation of HSV resulting in herpes pneumonia.
It really depends on the individual.
There is one exception - if you get HSV1 on your genitals, or HSV2 on your mouth, you are likely to have fewer symptoms then if you get these viruses where "they belong." Even still, it can vary a lot from person to person.