"Herpes" (from the Greek for 'crawl') refers to a large family of viruses that cause disease in humans and other animals. The first three types - see the list below - will produce skin blisters when they are active. The others mostly cause general flu-like illness. According to the Center for Disease Control, 90% of the US population have been infected with one or more herpes viruses. Once infected, these viruses remain in the body.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with the affected area of another person's body, when the virus is active, and with friction. The virus cannot crawl or dig its way through the skin. It can be transmitted during childbirth from mother to newborn if the mother is having her very first outbreak. If the mother has had it a while (two months or more) then the newborn will have the mother's antibodies (temporary protection) and cannot catch it during birth.
Here are a few typical ways to catch herpes simplex:
There are eight human herpes viruses - each one causes a different illness. Only herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus are caught on the skin. How each type is transmitted:
In short: You contract herpes simplex by some part of your body touching someone who is infected on one of their lesions. This typically occurs during sexual relations.
Herpes is spread from person to person by direct skin-to-skin contact with the affected part, when the virus is active. The hva.org.uk website has full information on the 'Frequently Asked Questions' page.
A condom can be useful in protecting a man's partner if it covers the area where the man gets his outbreaks. It may not protect a person as if the symptoms come elsewhere in the pelvic area, which is not protected by a condom.
Herpes is one of the most misunderstood viruses out there. The simple truth is that 90% of the adult population has it but doesn't realize it. If you ever get a fever blister you have herpes simplex. The only difference between mouth herpes and the other kind is simply where it's located. It's the same virus, resting at the back of your brain until something triggers it and you get an outbreak.
Herpes travels through the skin when it rubs together with someone who has herpes just had a break out or has a break out in progress. Herpes then goes onto replicate in the skin cells usually creating a blister, and lies dormant near the spinal column but it's important to remember that herpes simplex is not passed through blood.
Herpes is passed by skin to skin contact: sex, kissing, oral sex... those will do it.
Ever have a cold sore? You have herpes.
It comes from unprotected sex when a person is having an outbreak or even
when the sores aren't visible there is still shedding always practice safe sex the safest is abstinence.
Herpes can also be transmitted when there are no symptoms present and be dormant for a long period of time before you recognize any signs or symptoms.
It is also possible to contract genital herpes from a cold sore on a partner's mouth or face through oral sex. It is possible to pass the virus on even if they did not have a cold sore present at the time of contact.
To help prevent transmission it is important not to engage in any activities that involve touching the affected area while there are sign or symptoms, this includes itching, tingling or irritation on the skin.
How a person can contract Cold Sores
Cold sores are generally contracted from skin to skin contact with an infected area. For example, if someone has a cold sore on their lip they can pass on the virus to another person's mouth through kissing.
The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the first exposure to the virus. As most people contract cold sores before the age of seven, it is common for a person not to remember their first or 'primary' cold sore outbreak.
Once infected with cold sores, the virus remains inside the body in a latent (sleeping) state. Throughout a person's life the virus can then become "activated" causing a cold sore recurrence.
Yes, herpes is very contagious and can be passed via sexual contact and also kissing.
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