Can i get hsv 2 twice

A two-page summary is available. If your new partner has had cold sores in the past, this either means that they have the same herpes virus as you, or will have the other type there are only two types of herpes simplex.

When you both have the same type, it is highly unlikely that either of you will reinfect the other — anywhere on the body.

If you have different types and either of you catches a second type, symptoms will probably be slight or non-existent. This is because the antibodies for one type will have some immediate effect on the other type as well. So they could have sex when the virus is active. Mild symptoms can appear as a pimple, a little cut or an itchy bit of skin and yet these are very infectious.

When people with these mild symptoms learn to recognise them, then they can avoid sex at these times. Another possibility is that your partner does not have herpes simplex and you caught it from a previous partner. No, you will not catch it off anything. The virus is caught from the skin, not from objects. It is a delicate virus and dies quickly when away from the skin where the sore is. No — this will not happen. Parents do not need to worry about passing on their genital herpes to children because it is caught through direct skin contact with the affected place when symptoms are present and not from hands or objects.

Even sharing a bath with small children is not a problem because herpes simplex virus is not transmitted in water. See here for pregnancy and childbirth — which is a different issue. Parents do not pass on genital herpes to their children through the normal activities of family life. Do not allow a fear of transmission to get in the way of ordinary family touching, hugging, sharing, etc.

Is herpes on my laundry? No — it dies too fast. You can wash clothes together in the same machine, even when a person has a recurrence. Bathing or showering together will not transmit herpes simplex virus — the same is true for Jacuzzis and swimming pools. Even if you have used the toilet or you have touched the genital area and forgotten to wash your hands, this is not a problem. This virus is fragile and dies when it leaves living cells.

We thank the New Zealand Herpes Foundation for this last example! Also, cold sores on the face may be caught from someone with genital herpes through oral sex.

Only the face of a person with cold sores is infectious — so they can have sex, but should not kiss or do oral sex when they have a cold sore. See the description of the two types. You will find Herpes Simplex — the Guide booklet 16 pages, 6, words useful too.

Outbreaks of genital herpes can be particularly frustrating, as they can have a major effect on your personal relationship with your partner or partners. Luckily, herpes is relatively easy to manage using modern medication. Most doctors recommend the use of antiviral medication like valacyclovir , which suppresses the herpes virus from multiplying within the body. During an outbreak, this can prevent viral replication and speed up healing.

Want to learn more about treating herpes? This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice.

Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more. What We Treat. Sexual health. Mental Health. Top treatments. Shop Herpes Treatment Start Consultation. Email address. Type-specific antibodies against your own strain of virus make it very difficult to catch a second infection of the same strain from a different person.

People with genital herpes often have mild symptoms — or sometimes no symptoms at all. Also, the symptoms of genital herpes such as blisters can be mistaken for other conditions such as a pimple or ingrown hair. It can be difficult to diagnose genital herpes based just on how it looks. In order to make a diagnosis, your doctor can order a PCR blood test or viral culture test. If you have HSV-2, the chance of recurrent infection is higher.

Since there is no cure for herpes, recurrent infection is possible, especially if you have a health condition that compromises your immune system. The severity and duration of symptoms can be managed using medication if it is started within the first 7 days. If you suffer from frequent recurrent infections, there are medications available to help prevent outbreaks.