What is the difference between Oral herpes (HSV-1) and Genital Herpes (HSV-2)?
Let’s look at their similarities first. According to ASHA (American Social Health Association), the viruses that cause oral and genital herpes are virtually identical under a microscope. Both types of herpes infect mucuosal areas of the body, areas such as the genitals and the mouth. Oftentimes, people with either oral herpes (HSV-1) or genital herpes (HSV-2) have no idea that they have herpes. Though these people might not show outward symptoms of having either genital or oral herpes, they do have periods where the virus is present on their skin and in the mucuosal membranes, which is known as Asymptomatic Viral Shedding. During these periods of viral shedding, the virus can be spread to others.
