Conflicting Transmission Question
I have been doing some searching over the internet for information about herpes transmission. But a problem that keeps coming up is that transmission information/beliefs are conflicting.
Some maintain that herpes is transmitted only via mucous membrane or open wound contact while others have the opinion that it may be transmitted through skin contact such as a kiss on the cheek or forehead.
Considering that many infants contract the virus from a kiss on the cheek or forehead, it makes me question the possibility for such to happen to an adult as well.
Is the make up of infant skin more succeptable to the virus? Or is it because the infant unknowingly spreads the virus from the area of the kiss to an area with mucous membranes through touching the area then the lips?
If it is true that herpes may be transmitted only through mucous membrane or open wound contact, then how big/deep exactly meed that open wound be?
Say if a person shaved that morning and got kissed in that spot that evening, or if a person wiped his face with a towel an hour before encountering the virus? What if the person exfoliated that morning?
would the surface abrasions from these activities create enough of a breach in the skin for the virus to infect, or does it have to be deeper?
Or what if the person's face was extremely dry? Would the cracked skin on the surface be enough?
If a mucous membrane touches an active herpes sore, is infection 100% confirmed?
If anyone has any insight on this, please let me know...
- Herpes Doctor - Public Forums:
Hi Acheron, Those in the
Hi Acheron,
Those in the know - and hereby I mean scientists, doctors etc. - do not agree on this matter. Oral Herpes is only supposed to transmit via mucus membranes or open cuts. But... Lots of people get it without the "official" ways of transmitting. A lot of doctors will tell you to not use towels that have been used by someone with a cold sore while others will laugh it of an dtell you to stop panicking.
Children do have thinner skin than adults, infants about 30% thinner and presumably this would make a difference (children need higher factors in sun protection lotion than adults, for example).
I'm not sure exactly how much it takes before adult's skin is more susceptible to virus, but you raise some interesting points (shaving, exfoliating etc).
But, NO, you are not "guaranteed" Oral Herpes if a mucus membrane touches an active Oral Herpes lesion.
I'm sorry to be of so little help but I hope I was of some help ;)
Kind regards,
iv
kissing and the herpes virus
recently i kissed some one who i Know has genital herpes. i was drinking and was not thinking. i now am freaking out and petrified that by kissing her i will get genital herpes.i kissed her on the mouth. i am not sure if she had a genital out break or oral out break. but i am certain that she does have genital herpes. but i am really scared. nothing else happened and every one i have asked does not no the answer. also is it possible to have a blood test for herpes even if you have never had an out break? if so how soon to the time i think i was exposed dhould i go?
Kissing and Genital Herpes
Hi frog11,
You're fine, Genital Herpes only transfers via sexual activity, hence the name. Read more in our Herpes FAQ.
You can take a test for Herpes even if you've never had an outbreak. You might have trouble convincing your doctor to do it for you, though. My best advice is to ring an STD clinic and have a chat to a doctor about it. You can ring them now.
Kind regards,
iv
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