Can Facial Herpes be transmitted to Genital Herpes?

LegacyUser

Right so this is a bit of an odd one, but I get coldsores from time to time and normally I'm quite good about washing my hands before puttting on Zovirax so I don't infect it but I rarely wash my hands after that, just wipe my finger on a tissue or something to get the excess off, I also touch my coldsore from time to time if it's really hurting or something, and forget to wash my hands.

Anywho If I touch my genitals after having touched my coldsore is it possible to give myself herpes mthat way?

(sorry this is a pretty manky question!)

Steyr

Yes.

Icequeen

Yep and it you can pass it on through oral too

LegacyUser

Aw sh!t.

Ah well thanks guys and gals, looks like I'll have to be more careful in future.

LegacyUser

Google Lysine - not giving medical advice! - but its good for dealing with Herpes 1 and 2 - also avoid eating food containing arginine like nuts and chocolate.

Wash ur hands man as well easiest way if preventing infection. tea tree oil/ lavender are good to use in between zovirax too, can be applied neat to skin (but check with ur gp if u have allergies etc)

LegacyUser

Actually, in practice it's very uncommon to 'self-infect' - although it is possible.

Something to do with antibodies and such.

The Herpes Help Page (you should find it if you google, I don't have the link here) has lots more info.

moridin

If you get a coldsore try using plasters on them - If you put one on when you feel the tingle they won't get anywhere as nasty as they would otherwise, and it stops them spreading etc.

Have a look at http://www.compeed.co.uk/ - they're about €15 from a decent pharmacy but work much better tha zovirax / aciclovir cream treatments.

Icequeen

You should get more advice than we can give here http://www.herpesalliance.org/facial_herpes.htm

Cateym

Yes its possible. Genital Herpes and cold sores are indeed caused by the same virus. So if you're going down on your partner while you have one you could infect them so be aware.