Can herpes outbreak appear anywhere on the body?

by Antionette Grayson
(USA )

Does it come in clusters or in form of pimples?



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Dear Antionette,

Herpes sores can appear singly much like a pimple or in clusters on a patch of red, irritated skin on the initial site of infection. The sores can get really inflamed and painful especially for the women. So care must be taken to ensure the least discomfort during a herpes outbreak.

The herpes virus can indeed appear anywhere on the body. However, there are certain sites that seem to favor a specific type of herpes virus.

For example, the herpes simplex virus type 1 or HSV-1 prefers the oral region. Sores can appear anywhere on the lips, around the mouth, and even inside the mouth (in some cases). HSV-1 is also known as oral herpes, cold sores, or fever blisters.

Although the usual mode of transmission is through kissing, it is also possible to acquire oral herpes by engaging in oral sex with a partner who has genital herpes.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2, and it prefers to thrive in the genital area. For the men it can appear anywhere on the shaft of the penis, scrotum, butt, or thighs. For the women, it can appear in the vagina, anal region, butt, or thighs.

Like the former, genital herpes can also be acquired by receiving oral sex from someone with oral herpes. The incidence is low but it does happen.

Finally, herpes can also affect the fingers causing Herpes Whitlow, and the eyes causing Ocular Herpes.

Hope this helps,

Gary

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