The stigma surrounding STIs<\/a> can prevent young people and adults from accessing the information they need to keep themselves or their partners safe. Many people live with STIs like genital herpes without experiencing any symptoms or significant disruptions to their sex lives.<\/p>\n STIs do not have to get in the way of a healthy and happy sex life. Read ahead for more information on the differences between oral herpes, genital herpes, and STIs.<\/p>\n Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)<\/a> is commonly referred to as \u201coral herpes.\u201d This strain of the herpes virus typically affects the mouth. An estimated fifty to eighty percent of American adults are currently living with this strain of virus.<\/p>\n Many people do not experience symptoms for oral herpes. Common symptoms<\/a> of oral herpes include:<\/p>\n Oral herpes is highly contagious and easily transmitted through contact with infected saliva, mucous membranes, or skin. Someone is more likely to spread oral herpes while they have an active outbreak. However, some people experience \u201casymptomatic shedding,\u201d which means they shed the virus, even when no visible outbreak or symptoms are present.<\/p>\n Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)<\/a> is also commonly referred to as \u201cgenital herpes.\u201d This strain of the herpes virus typically affects the genitals. An estimated 1 in 6 people aged 14 to 49 currently live with this strain of the herpes virus.<\/p>\n Similar to oral herpes, many people may not experience any symptoms of genital herpes. Common symptoms<\/a> of genital herpes include:<\/p>\n Some people experience recurring \u201coutbreaks\u201d with blister-like sores. Others are asymptomatic, meaning they carry the virus, but do not experience any visible or noticeable symptoms. The virus can be transmitted to partners during sex through skin-to-skin contact or direct contact with sores.<\/p>\n Because HSV-1 and HSV-2<\/a> are two different strains of herpes virus, it is possible for someone to contract both strains. Someone with oral herpes can transmit the virus to the mouth or genitals of a sexual partner during oral sex. Someone with genital herpes can also transmit the virus to a partner during oral sex.<\/p>\n It is important for someone living with either strain to protect themselves from additional infections and from transmitting the virus to partners.<\/p>\n Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)<\/a> are infections typically spread through anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Some STIs, like the human papilloma virus or genital herpes, can be spread through skin-to-skin contact. STIs can be viral (e.g. herpes), bacterial (e.g. chlamydia), or parasitical (e.g. trichomoniasis).<\/p>\n Many people have STIs without experiencing any symptoms. The only way for someone to know if they have an STI is for them to get tested. Abstaining from sex or practicing safer sex with barrier methods can prevent transmission of STIs between sexual partners.<\/p>\n Not all STIs can be cured, but all STIs can be treated. For example, bacterial and parasitical STIs can be cured with prescription medication. Viral STIs, like herpes, can be treated with medication.<\/p>\n HSV-1<\/a>, the strain of herpes that causes sores around the mouth, is technically not an STI. This strain of the herpes virus is traditionally spread through sharing drinks, kissing, and other non-sexual contact. However, someone with oral herpes can transmit the virus to a partner during sex.<\/p>\n This strain can still be transmitted to the genitals during oral sex<\/a>. Someone who contracts HSV-1 through oral sex would experience outbreaks of sores on their genitals rather than their mouth. Someone with oral herpes should not perform oral sex during an outbreak.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n People living with oral or genital herpes can still enjoy a happy and healthy sex life. A little additional precaution and planning can go a long way to prevent spreading herpes to a partner. Someone with HSV can abstain from sex during breakouts and use barrier methods to keep their partner safe.<\/p>\n Ways to prevent the spread of herpes<\/a> includes:<\/p>\n Someone can spread the virus to a partner whether or not they have an active outbreak. It is important for partners to practice open and honest communication surrounding sex and preventing transmission. Learning about herpes together and planning to practice safer sex can help to keep both partners safe.<\/p>\n Antiviral medications<\/a> have been shown to prevent outbreaks, reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks, and reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus to a partner. Main treatments available on the market include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. These well-researched treatment options are available in pill form.<\/p>\n Those interested in living symptom-free longer can now view their options for sexual health<\/a> treatment online. We can prescribe safe and effective treatments like Valtrex for you, right here at eDrugstore.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections can prevent people from fully enjoying their sex lives. Approximately 20 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are reported each year in the United States. Despite being so common, many people still have questions about STIs and sexual health. Common questions include \u201cis oral herpes an STI?\u201d or \u201chow do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":29508,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_autoblog_aioseo_focus_keyphrase":"","_autoblog_aioseo_title":"","_autoblog_aioseo_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-std-sexually-transmitted-diseases-treatments"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.mediashower.com\/img\/C1590FC4-EEF4-11EA-BABF-22F970E644CC\/bigstock-Young-beautiful-African-Americ-382788839_900x.jpg\")
<\/strong>What is Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1)?<\/h3>\n\n
What is Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV-2)?<\/h3>\n
\n
Can Someone Have Both HSV-1 and HSV-2?<\/h3>\n
What are STIs?<\/h3>\n
Is oral herpes an STI?<\/h3>\n
How Can Someone Prevent the Spread of Herpes?<\/h3>\n
![\"Opened](\"https:\/\/www.mediashower.com\/img\/C1590FC4-EEF4-11EA-BABF-22F970E644CC\/bigstock-Colorful-Condom-Rubber-Condom-354641822_900x.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
How is Herpes Treated?<\/h3>\n