Causes of Genital Herpes and Cold Sores

What causes cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by two types of herpes simplex viruses: HSV-1 and HSV-2. In general, the HSV-1 type is the cause of cold sores. In less common cases, HSV-2 can also cause cold sores through oral sex. Nevertheless, any of these types can result in sores on the genital or facial area. Most infected individuals having cold sores don’t even develop any symptoms or signs.

Basically, cold sores are extremely contagious at the presence of oozing blisters. But it is possible to transmit the virus to other people even when you have no blisters. Sharing towels, eating utensils, and razors as well as kissing infected persons or vice verse may lead to the spread of the HSV-1 virus. In addition to this, oral sex can also result in the spread of the HSV-1 virus to the genitals, and HSV-2 to the mouth.

After you’ve had the first outbreak of the herpes infection, the virus stays dormant in your skin nerve cells and is likely to appear as a new cold sore in the same place as it used to be. The recurrence may be brought about by the following:

  • Stress
  • Fever or viral infection
  • Fatigue
  • Immune system changes
  • Changes of Hormonal
  • Exposed to wind and sunlight

What causes genital herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by two types of herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2). In most cases, HSV-2 is the cause of it. In less common cases, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes through oral sex. HSV tends to be extremely contagious and can spread easily among people just by skin-to-skin contact like oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

When HSV appears on the skin surface, it can be transferred from one person to another person. The virus tends to easily enter into your body through the moist skin of your genitals, anus, and mouth. Sometimes, there is a possibility to be infected through close contact with other parts of the body which have the tendency to be affected by the HSV virus, such as the skin and eyes. For instance, it is possible for you to be infected with genital herpes if you have any type of oral sex with a person who has a cold sore around the mouth.

Genital herpes is unlikely to be transmitted through objects like tableware, cups, or towels due to the fact that the virus dies rapidly if they are not on the human skin. However, you are likely to be infected if you share sex toys with an infected person.

It is easy to get infected with genital herpes when your infected partner has sores or blisters. Also, anyone can be infected with the virus at any time, even when their infected partners don’t even have any symptoms.

As long as you get infected with the herpes virus, the virus is able to be reactivated once in a while to cause a fresh genital herpes episode, which is also referred to as recurrence.

What are the triggers of recurrence?

There has been no clarity as to the reason of the reactivation of HSV, but some triggers might be the causes of the recurrence of genital herpes.

For instance, a recurrence may be brought about from the friction around your genital area amid sexual intercourse. Lubricant, which can be gotten at the pharmacies without the need for any prescription, can help you prevent from recurrence.

Other conceivable triggers are:

  • Stress
  • Unwellness
  • Exposed to ultraviolet light
  • Surgery performed on the genital area
  • Drinking excessive alcohol
  • Weak immune system