Herpes: Is it Only Transmitted via Sexual Activity?
No. Herpes Simplex 2 which causes Genital Herpes is normally
transmitted via sexual activity. Herpes Simplex 1 which causes Oral
Herpes may also be transmitted via sexual activity, but only requires
oral contact. Varicella Herpes Zoster which causes chickenpox and
shingles is transmitted via the humidity in the air.
Some Quick Facts
- Herpes is a virus.
- Once caught, a Herpes virus remains in your body for life although it is
latent for most of the time. - Herpes is very adaptable and very common
- It is estimated that 90% of the world's population has Herpes Zoster and thus had chickenpox in childhood
- 1 in 5 develop shingles in later life
- 50-80% of the world's
population have Herpes Simplex 1 - 1 in 5 adults have Herpes Simplex
2. - Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 are often mis-diagnosed or not diagnosed at all
- The symptoms can be very mild and vary from person to person
Herpes Simplex - Oral & Genital Herpes
Herpes Simplex needs an open cut or a mucus membrane to transmit.
Herpes Simplex 1 is usually transmitted via kissing, even dry
kisses between relatives.
Herpes Simplex and Sex
It is important to note that Herpes Simplex 1 can transmit to the genitals via oral sex, and likewise Herpes Simplex 2 can cause oral herpes via oral sex.
Herpes Zoster - Chickenpox & Shingles
Varicella Herpes Zoster travels through the humidity in the air
so you only have to be in the same room as someone who has chickenpox
in the incubation period to catch the virus.
Once you have chickenpox in outbreak, the virus is not contagious. Shingles
outbreaks are not contagious, not even in the incubation period.
Still Need Help?
Why not ask your question in our Public Q&A Forum? We'd be glad to hear from you and will try to help as best we can ;-)
- Herpes Viruses:
ways of spreading herpes
i just found out about a month ago that i have had genitals herpes. i had an outbreak and got treated for it. i had a pelvic exam from my doctor and she explained that the outbreak was now gone but that the virus will never go away. i was staying at my friends house for about 2 weeks and hanging around her toddler. while giving him a bath she said that he had a fever-blisterlike sore now on his genitals. she accused me of giving it to her son via changing his diaper or giving him a bath. i always wash my hands after going to the bathroom no matter what and i always wore rubber gloves when changing his diaper. is it possible to spread genital herpes any other way other than sexual contact? i am really upset about this because she is so angry. i have been crying all night becasue i am afraid that i did give it to him and she is going to accuse me of other things. please help.
Is It Possible?
I have two children a four year old and a 1 year old. I've had chicken pox as a child and do very rarely experiance a cold sore every now and again as well as my husband. Well when my four year old was about two or three she also had a very tiny cold sore but her doctor didn't think any thing of it she said it was just probably due to her putting stuff in her mouth. Then my one year old broke out with a bad diaper rash and our doctor thought his rash was similar to a herpes out break, needles to say she asked me if in fact I was infected and had had an outbreak while delivering my son. I told her no not that I knew of. So my question is, If I was indeed infected while pregnant wouldn't my doctor have seen this in their test results and told me? And is it possible to have an outbreak and not know it?
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