A true primary infection of genital herpes can only be experienced by a person who has never previously been exposed to any herpes simplex virus. Before infection there is no history of cold sores, no history of exposure to cold sores and no immunity to herpes has been developed.
The absence of specific immunity is crucial because it allows for easier infection. The body, in its first defence against its first attack be herpes makes antibodies that can neutralize the herpes quite effectively. Also immune cells of the body learn how to target and destroy the virus. As a result, once specific immune cells and antibodies are present, herpes infections are usually much milder.
The first infection is called a primary infection if no antibody to either type 1 or type 2 herpes simplex virus is present. It is only possible to know for sure that a person does not have such antibodies by performing a special blood test. Many people with antibodies to either type 1 or type 2 herpes simplex virus have no recollection of cold sores, genital herpes or any other symptom related to herpes.
During a true primary infection, the virus can be inoculated, or transferred, to surrounding areas of the skin. Infection may be much more severe because no immunity specific to herpes is yet present. More sores will usually develop during a true primary, especially in women. The person may feel generally sick usually with flu-like illness much like nay other viral infection.
Primary infection causes a spectrum of disease symptoms however and for many people primary infection will pass entirely unnoticed or will cause symptoms or signs that can easily be misdiagnosed. A woman may only find out that she is the midst of a primary infection when a routine smear test result shows active cervical herpes. So, it is vital that any suspicion of herpes is diagnosed accurately by way of a specific blood test.
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