Question

Which statement is correct for genital herpes?

• A. Type II causes sores on mouth and lips and Type I causes sores around genitals and rectum.
• B. Type II causes sores around genitals and rectum and Type I causes sores on mouth and lips.
• C. Both Type I and Type II cause sores on genitals.
• D. Both Type I and Type II cause sores on mouth and lips.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Type II causes sores around genitals and rectum and Type I causes sores on mouth and lips.

Genital herpes, the causative organism for which is the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is of two types- HSV 1 and HSV 2. Type I infections cause sores on the mouth and lips while Type II causes sores around genitalia and the rectum. Around 80% of all infections are Type II.

In the case of type I, the virus is spread by kissing or any other contact with sores on an infected individual’s mouth. In the case of type II, spread requires contact with genital sores, which is why type II is only spread during sexual contact with an infected person.