What is Herpes 1?
Herpes 1 (Oral Herpes), also called herpes labialis, is an infection of the lips, mouth, or gums caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1). It causes small, painful blisters commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. Herpes 1 commonly infects most people before the age of 20. Majority of infected adults have minimal or no symptoms from herpes 1.
How do you test for Herpes 1?
When you arrive at one of our partnered lab locations for your test, a technician will draw a small amount of blood to send off for testing. Our doctors use the type-specific herpes blood test recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This test differentiates between type 1 Herpes (HSV-1) and type 2 Herpes (HSV-2). Our test looks for antibodies to the HSV-1 virus in the blood.
How is Herpes 1 transmitted?
Herpes 1 virus (HSV type 1 virus) is transmitted through kissing or close contact with an infected person. You can also acquire Herpes 1 by touching or coming in contact with infected objects such as razors, towels, dishes, and other personal items.
How soon can I get tested for Herpes 1 after exposure?
Our doctors recommend testing for herpes 1 virus 4-6 weeks after exposure. Herpes 1 antibodies can take from 2 weeks to 6 months to develop. Though Herpes 1 is not a life threatening disease, our physicians recommend regular testing to avoid blindness that could result when herpes 1 infection moves from the mouth to the eye.
What do I need to do to prepare for a Herpes 1 test?
No preparation or fasting is needed for Herpes type 1 test.
What is Oral Herpes?
Oral herpes is just a term that indicates where on the body the virus is producing symptoms if any. The virus that causes oral herpes can be either HSV-1 or HSV-2.
There is a common misconception that oral herpes is exclusively caused by HSV-1, although this is not the case. Oral herpes can be caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2, but the misconception comes because oral herpes just tends to more often be attributed to HSV-1. That said, it must be noted that our oral herpes test only looks for HSV-1. It is highly recommended that when testing for herpes, you test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2.
The herpes simplex virus will usually remain in the area that it first comes into contact with. When it first touches the skin, it will infect the skin cells, then it will infect deeper into your nerve cells within your DNA. Because the virus literally lives inside of DNA, this has made it very difficult to study.
Oral herpes can most easily be identified by cold sores1 or fever blisters around the mouth, though STDcheck.com does not recommend relying on symptoms for answers. The only way to really know if you have herpes is by getting tested.
Causes of Oral Herpes
How Is It Transmitted?
Herpes is extremely contagious. It can be transmitted easily through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. You do not need to have sex in order to contract herpes as it can also be spread through kissing (the most common HSV-1 transmission culprit) or touching.
The herpes virus will normally remain local to where your body first came into contact with it, but it is possible for you to touch an open sore and then touch your mouth, genitals, or eyes, therefore spreading it to those locations.
HSV is most contagious when sores are exposed and fluid is present, however, it is still possible for the virus to be transmitted when the skin looks clear. There are a few days a year when the virus becomes most active but causes no symptoms, this is called viral shedding.
Is it Contagious?
Yes, herpes is very contagious. It can spread through something as simple as touching, kissing, or sharing drinks.
How Common is it?
Oral herpes is extremely common, making the stigma and shame that usually accompanies being diagnosed with it uncalled-for and pointless. According to the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), over half of all U.S. adults have oral herpes (most commonly HSV-1).2
How Serious is it?
If 50 percent of the current adult population has oral herpes, your odds of having come into contact with the virus are fairly high. Though the disease may cause some discomfort, it is not very serious.
The CDC doesn’t even recommend testing for herpes! They state, “the risk of shaming and stigmatizing people outweighs the potential benefits. For these reasons, testing everyone for herpes is not recommended at this time.3”
Who is at Risk?
Anyone can get oral herpes, and it has nothing to do with who you are as a person. Herpes is not a reflection on cleanliness or morals. Even babies being kissed by adults are at risk of HSV. There are, however, certain lifestyle choices that could put you at risk of being in the 50% of the population with oral herpes.
You are at a higher risk of contracting oral herpes if any of the following apply to you:
- You frequently kiss multiple partners
- You share drinks and/or food
- You perform unprotected oral sex (HSV-2)
Prevention
When practicing oral sex, dental dams are recommended. Take precautions to avoid contact with open sores or skin that is experiencing a breakout.
It’s difficult to prevent oral herpes. The best thing you can do is know your status and the status of those that you are in close physical contact with, whether it be through sharing drinks, kissing, or holding hands.