Impossible to know: Predicting the frequency of recurrence is not possible. Some patients, particularly women will shed the virus in secretions even in the absence of active lesions. Men may also have urethral carriage and therefore transmit in that fashion. If you are having sex with someone who has not been infected, inform them of your condition and use protected sex.
Answered 9/17/2012
5.6k views
SITE IRRELEVANT: It used to be hsv-1 was oral; hsv-2 genital. With increased oral sexual activity, the portal of infection becomes irrelevant. These very common viruses won't mutate to a different strain because of where they infect. The initial infection, once resolved will not happen again. But cold sores (oral or genital) are recurrent infections and highly contagious. Treat both w/ antiviral rx and safe sex.
Answered 12/9/2013
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