| Transmission How is genital herpes transmitted? Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is transmitted from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact. The virus is shed from visible sores, blisters or a rash during outbreaks, but can also be shed from the affected area between outbreaks of symptoms. HSV is transmitted to the area of skin that it comes into contact with. In most cases, this means HSV-1, which usually causes cold sores, is passed from the lips of one person to the lips of another and HSV-2 is passed from genitals to genitals, but oral sex can result in HSV being passed from lips to genitals and vice versa. There are also cases where other types of contact can spread HSV. For example, there is a variant of herpes known as herpes gladiatorium, which is passed on during body contact sports such as wrestling. Is it true that herpes can only be transmitted during an outbreak? No. The virus can be shed from the skin at any time, even when there are no symptoms present. This asymptomatic shedding does not occur every day, so the person with herpes is not infectious all of the time, but it does mean that people with herpes can pass on the infection without knowingly having an outbreak. In fact in some cases, the person may not even be aware that they have genital herpes. Can herpes be transmitted by oral sex with someone who has cold sores? Yes, herpes simplex virus is frequently transmitted from the lips of one person to the genitals of their partner during oral sex. Anyone who has ever experienced cold sores can potentially pass on the virus in this way. The risk of transmission is lower, however, if the other partner has a history of cold sores himself/herself. Can herpes be transmitted by non-physical contact, for example swimming pools, shared underwear and towels? There is no evidence that herpes simplex virus can be spread other than by skin-to-skin contact. Herpes simplex can only survive in a living cell. |
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