How is herpes transmitted?

Herpes is always transmitted through oral or genital contact with the virus.  This may include oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, and skin-to-skin contact when the virus is active on a person’s mouth or genitals. The herpes virus isn’t always active, but it can be even when no symptoms are present -- part of the reason that herpes is so common.

Herpes is transmitted through coming in contact with the fluid from the blisters the Herpes virus produces.  That means you can get the virus by touching the blisters or touching something that has come in contact with the blisters and then comes in contact with you before it drys out or cools down.  Sharing towels in the locker room - not a good infection control practice!

There are different types of Herpes viruses.  Coldsores are caused by a type of herpes virus - Herpes Simplex.  The lesions are common.  They can occur singly or in clusters.  They are painful and often can be felt before they actually appear.  Coldsores come and go, the time period in between varies widely. 

There is a school of thought that says that viruses never go away and that's why they recur, even years later.  Poor health and stress, for example, can reactivate dormant viruses.  Others feel that if the amount of virus in the body can be reduced enough below a certain level (or viral load), the virus will go away for good.

A second type of Herpes virus causes Genital Herpes.  This can be difficult to diagnose visually because the blisters may be hidden inside the vagina or completely healed before you can get to a health practitioner.  Even if the blisters are visible, getting a swab may still be challenging because the blisters may be very tiny and the sample hard to get.  There are blood tests if a visual exam or culture doesn't work.

Active symptoms of genital Herpes, or outbreaks, can be treated but for the safety of your sexual partner, it is best to assume that you are contagious and take precautions, such as celebacy during an outbreak and using condoms at other times.  Medications are available to prevent outbreaks.  The pharmaceutical manufacturer has excellent resources available to answer your questions about both the disease and the drug, including a hot line to speak with a nurse.

You can get herpes through direct skin contact with an infected area or from secretions infected with herpes: saliva, vaginal secretions, or semen (including on shared utensils or toothbrushes).