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Herpes: What Everyone Should Know

Summary & Participants

Join our panel of experts for a discussion of herpes treatment and prevention.

Medically Reviewed On: May 07, 2008

Webcast Transcript

DAVID FOLK THOMAS: Welcome to our webcast. I'm David Folk Thomas. The topic: herpes. I'm cringing just saying it, but it's a sexually transmitted disease. As everybody knows, it's something that nobody wants to catch, and we're going to tell you everything you need to know to prevent that from happening, and what you need to do if, unfortunately, you are diagnosed with it. Joining us to discuss this topic, two experts. On my left, Dr. Adam Stracher, and sitting next to him, Dr. Brian Boyle. They are both attending physicians at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University Medical Center, and they are both assistant professors in the department of international medicine and infectious diseases at Cornell University Medical College. I need some water right now. Doctors, thanks for joining us.

Let's start with you, Dr. Stracher. Herpes -- Let's get the skinny from you.

ADAM STRACHER, MD: It's a viral infection that can be transmitted in many ways. Obviously, in this we're talking about sexually transmitted diseases. It can be transmitted sexually and it can cause a whole range of illnesses, but the one that people generally consider herpes infections are genital herpes -- infections of the penis or the vaginal area -- as well as oral infections -- infections of the mouth, cold sores.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS: Dr. Boyle, Dr. Stracher just mentioned the two types. Everybody hears about herpes simplex 1, herpes simplex 2. What's the difference between the two?

BRIAN BOYLE, MD: The difference is that herpes simplex 1 is generally what causes the oral lesions, the lip lesions and the tongue and inner mouth lesions, where herpes 2 -- HSV-2 -- is generally the one that causes genital lesions. However, there is significant overlap between the two, so you can have herpes 2 that infects and causes lesions in your mouth and you can have herpes 1 that causes lesions on sexual organs.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS: What's the breakdown between somebody who has herpes simplex 1, herpes simplex 2, if they have both -- is one more prevalent?

ADAM STRACHER, MD: Herpes simplex 1 is more prevalent but, again, many people may be infected with both. Many people may be infected with one or the other and never develop any symptoms from it. As Brian pointed out, herpes simplex 1 may cause genital infections and herpes simplex 2 may cause oral infections. We don't always make that much of a distinction between the two because there is such a large overlap.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS: What are they symptoms?

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