The cause of genital herpes can be from HSV1 (oral herpes or “cold sores”) or HSV2 (genital herpes). Either strain of the same herpes virus can end up on your genitals, although HSV1 prefers to be in the tougher and cooler mucous membrane of the face (exterior mouth/lip region) and HSV2 prefers the moist, warm climate of the genitals. When a strain finds itself in an unpreferable location (HSV-1 on the genitals, for example) the virus will shed less than if it found itself in its preferred location. (Find out more by downloading the free herpes talk e-book and handouts.) So yes, HSV1 can end up on the genitals (if a person with a cold sore gives oral sex, for example, which accounts to 50% of new genital herpes cases!) and HSV2 can end up on the lips (only 1% of oral herpes cases are HSV-2, though).
Frequently asked questions
How did I get genital herpes if my partner has never had an outbreak?+
Most herpes transmission happens when there are no visible symptoms. This is called asymptomatic shedding, where the virus is active on the skin surface without causing any noticeable sores. Up to 80% of people with herpes do not know they carry the virus because they have never had a recognized outbreak, making unintentional transmission very common.
Can herpes stay dormant for years before a first outbreak?+
Yes, herpes can remain dormant in the nerve ganglia for months or even years before causing a first noticeable outbreak. Some people are infected for a very long time before symptoms appear, which makes it nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly when or from whom the virus was contracted. A new outbreak does not necessarily mean a recent infection.
Can shaving or waxing cause a herpes outbreak?+
Shaving and waxing do not cause herpes, but they can trigger an outbreak in someone who already has the virus. The skin irritation and micro-abrasions from hair removal can activate the virus and bring on symptoms. Many people find that switching to an electric trimmer or being gentler with their shaving routine reduces outbreak frequency.
Can you get genital herpes from a toilet seat, bath, or hot tub?+
The herpes virus is very fragile outside the body and dies quickly on surfaces. There is no documented evidence of herpes being transmitted through toilet seats, shared baths, hot tubs, or towels. Herpes requires direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected area to be transmitted, making casual or environmental transmission essentially impossible.
