If You Have HSV2 Can You Be Immune to HSV1?
HSV1 and HSV2 are two viruses that are part of the Herpes family. Both viruses are transmitted by direct contact between mucocutaneous surfaces such as the oral cavity, the genitals, and through small breaks in the skin. HSV1 and HSV2 can both infect either the mouth or the genitals. HSV1 is more likely to cause oral infection (cold sores) whereas HSV2 has a greater tendency to cause genital infections. Both infections are lifelong because they live in nerve endings in the small, localized area of infection. During times of stress, the virus can be re-activated and cause an outbreak of a cluster of multiple, small vesicular lesions that typically crust over and resolve over a few days. Recurrent outbreaks can be managed with over-the-counter remedies and anti-viral medications for more resistant cases.
Although HSV1 and HSV2 are part of the same virus family, there is still the potential to contract HSV1 from a partner with HSV2 (and vice versa). However, immunity to one type of HSV can provide some cross-protection against disease that is caused by another type of HSV. This means that a person who was previously infected with one type of HSV may have milder symptoms of infection with a second type of HSV. For example, if patient A has HSV1 and is sexually involved with patient B who has HSV2, there is still a chance that patient A can contract HSV2 as well. However, patient A may not have as severe of symptoms that HSV2 infection typically causes because he/she has antibodies in his/her body against the herpes virus.
Ultimately, it is still very important to use appropriate protection against sexually transmitted infections even though circulating antibodies may make the symptoms of additional HSV infection milder. A person with HSV can spread the virus to others even though there is no visible proof of infection because not all outbreaks are visible. If you or your partner has an active herpes outbreak, make sure to avoid contact with the secretions and the area of the body with the lesion until it has healed to help minimize the risk of transmission. Also, avoid oral-genital and genital-genital contact during active outbreaks. Lastly, always remember that condom use is essential during vaginal, anal, and oral sex to help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
TeenHealthFX would like to encourage you to speak to your doctor about safer sex precautions for the future. Doctors generally recommend that teens and young adults who choose to be sexually active use condoms each and every time they have sex to protect against unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of STDs, as well as a back-up method of birth control such as the pill or birth control shot. Your doctor can make the best recommendations for you and discuss with you how to use properly use birth control to maximize its effectiveness.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
FX also suggests that you check out the links in our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so that you can learn about sexual readiness, how pregnancy happens, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, birth control, STDs and more. The more educated you are about these topics, the more likely you will make healthy decisions for yourself when it comes to your sexual health.
