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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are Genital Outbreaks While Having Recurring Cold Sores Indicative Of?

I ve had recurring cold sores (guessing HSV1) since I was 6 years old... About twice a year, messy, ugly and painful. Most recently, I had a genital outbreak, fearing it was Hsv2, or some other STD, I had a battery of test run. Results were negative across th board except HSV1. Why would there be such a radically different manifestation after so many years?
posted on Tue, 23 Feb 2016
Twitter Tue, 15 Mar 2016 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 15 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Herpes simplex virus 1 is usually associated with oral or mouth herpes.
However, HSV 1 can lead to genital herpes.
HSV infection presents as confluent or discrete fluid filled vesicles which are painful, may be associated with tingling, numbness or burning.
These fluid filled vesicles may break open and form ulcers.
The herpes infection varies from sores to ulcers and thus the difference in presentation.
However, the subsequent attacks of herpes simplex infection are milder than the proceeding ones.
Herpes infection is treated with anti-viral therapy.
I suggest you to consult a dermatologist for clinical assessment and thus management.
Genital herpes may spread via genital route and thus there is transmission of infection, thus, unprotected sex should be avoided till infection clears.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri


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What Are Genital Outbreaks While Having Recurring Cold Sores Indicative Of?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Herpes simplex virus 1 is usually associated with oral or mouth herpes. However, HSV 1 can lead to genital herpes. HSV infection presents as confluent or discrete fluid filled vesicles which are painful, may be associated with tingling, numbness or burning. These fluid filled vesicles may break open and form ulcers. The herpes infection varies from sores to ulcers and thus the difference in presentation. However, the subsequent attacks of herpes simplex infection are milder than the proceeding ones. Herpes infection is treated with anti-viral therapy. I suggest you to consult a dermatologist for clinical assessment and thus management. Genital herpes may spread via genital route and thus there is transmission of infection, thus, unprotected sex should be avoided till infection clears. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri