Which statement is true regarding HSV-1 and HSV-2 in genital herpes?

Which statement is true regarding HSV-1 and HSV-2 in genital herpes?

• A. HSV-1 only causes oral infections
• B. HSV-2 only causes genital infections
• C. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can interchange, and both can cause genital infection and spread even without active lesions
• D. They cannot spread if there are no active lesions

Answer: (C)

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause genital herpes, and either virus can infect the genital area. They can interchange in terms of site of infection because HSV-1, traditionally linked to oral cold sores, can be transmitted to the genital region through oral-genital contact, while HSV-2 is classically genital but not limited to it. A key point is that transmission can occur even when there are no visible lesions, due to asymptomatic viral shedding from the skin or mucosa. This means someone can spread the infection without noticing any symptoms. So the statement that both types can cause genital infection and spread even without active lesions is true. The ideas that HSV-1 is only oral, that HSV-2 is only genital, or that spread requires active lesions are not accurate.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause genital herpes, and either virus can infect the genital area. They can interchange in terms of site of infection because HSV-1, traditionally linked to oral cold sores, can be transmitted to the genital region through oral-genital contact, while HSV-2 is classically genital but not limited to it. A key point is that transmission can occur even when there are no visible lesions, due to asymptomatic viral shedding from the skin or mucosa. This means someone can spread the infection without noticing any symptoms. So the statement that both types can cause genital infection and spread even without active lesions is true. The ideas that HSV-1 is only oral, that HSV-2 is only genital, or that spread requires active lesions are not accurate.