Can Herpes Spread From Genitals To Mouth?

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 Answered on

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : can you catch oral herpes on the genitals and then
later catch a cold sore on the mouth as well? I thought it stayed in the originated location?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes it can spread

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Herpes can spread to new areas of contact easily and more so if the new area has an abrasion or an inflammation because that area is not protected fully by body's immunity.
Genital herpes usually doesn't affect other areas but there are many case reports of it affecting oral region and fingers.
So just visit a dermatologist and get the scraping tested so that apt treatment can be started well on time.
Take care and in case you have any questions I will be happy to help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar