Can hsv 2 be transmitted through touch

Before we get into non-sexual ways in which the herpes virus can spread, let’s cover the most obvious: sex.

Genital herpes, which is the form of herpes most people associate with sexual activity, is most often transmitted through sexual activity. If you have genital herpes and have sex with a person that doesn’t have the virus, there’s a significant risk of you transferring it to them.

Herpes transmission can take place even if you don’t have any symptoms of genital herpes. In fact, most people with genital herpes are asymptomatic, meaning herpes transmission can occur without the infected person being aware of their status.

Sexual contact usually spreads the HSV-2 form of the herpes virus. However, it’s also possible for from the mouth (where it causes oral herpes) to the genitals through oral sex.

It’s even possible for herpes to spread from the mouth to the genitals without direct oral sexual contact. For example, if you have oral herpes and touch your mouth shortly before touching the genitals of your sexual partner, there’s still a risk of transmitting the virus.

While it’s not possible to completely eliminate your risk of spreading herpes through sex, there are steps you can take to reduce your transmission risk. Our guide to sex with herpes includes several tips and tactics that you can use to make sex safer if you have HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Outbreaks are no match against an Rx option.

Kissing

One of the most common ways in which the herpes virus spreads is through kissing. If you have HSV-1, which usually causes oral herpes, there’s a risk of you transmitting the virus to others via your saliva.

When the herpes virus is active, it’s present in the saliva in your mouth and on your lips. Even a momentary kiss can be enough for HSV-1 transmission, resulting in them becoming infected.

Like with genital herpes, it’s possible to pass on oral herpes (typically HSV-1) even if you don’t have any symptoms, a process called "shedding." Many people with oral herpes are completely asymptomatic, meaning the virus can spread through their saliva without them ever knowing about their herpes status.

Birth

Herpes can also spread through birth. Women who have active herpes at the time of birth (for example, an ongoing genital herpes outbreak) can potentially pass the herpes virus on to their child during the process of giving birth.

Herpes transmitted during birth is a serious health risk for infants, with the potential for infections of the skin, eyes and mouth. Many infants that develop herpes through birth also experience diseases of the central nervous system caused by the virus. In some cases, the virus can even be fatal.

Because of this, doctors take significant precautions for expectant mothers with active genital herpes outbreaks. Women with herpes should be advised to undergo cesarean delivery to minimize risks to their child, or examined to make sure there’s no sign of an outbreak during delivery.

Even though genital herpes is fairly common, it’s very rare for it to be transmitted to infants at delivery. Up to one in 3,200 newborn babies in the U.S. are infected with the virus during delivery, and 10 out of every 100,000 globally, making herpes acquisition through birth a rare event.

Indirect Contact

Finally, it’s also possible for herpes to spread through indirect contact between a person with the virus and an uninfected person. For example, while improbable, the herpes virus can theoretically spread from one person to another through a wet towel, straw, utensil or other shared item.

The key word here is improbable. 

Literature suggests that while the herpes virus does survive for some period of time outside the human body, the most commonly known mode of transmission is through direct contact with an infected person.

However, it is hypothetically possible for herpes to spread from one person to another by quickly reusing a straw, spoon or other item that came into contact with an infected person’s saliva.

Concerned About Catching Herpes?

Herpes is extremely common, making it completely normal to have some level of concern about being exposed to the virus. The reality is that many people have some form of herpes, whether it’s the more common HSV-1 form of the virus or the less common HSV-2 form.

Are you interested in learning more about how herpes spreads from person to person, as well as what you can do to minimize your risks? Our guide to herpes types covers the process in more detail, with specific tips on how to reduce your herpes exposure risk. Looking for herpes treatment? We have you covered there, too. 

Herpes is a common virus that causes sores on your genitals and/or mouth. Herpes can be annoying and painful, but it usually doesn’t lead to serious health problems.

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Herpes is a common infection.

Herpes is a super-common infection that stays in your body for life. More than half of Americans have oral herpes, and about 1 out of 6 Americans has genital herpes. So chances are a few people you know are living with herpes.

Herpes is caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make sores pop up on and around your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs, lips, mouth, throat, and rarely, your eyes.

Herpes is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or sores that come and go. Many people with herpes don’t notice the sores or mistake them for something else, so they might not know they’re infected. You can spread herpes even when you don’t have any sores or symptoms.

There’s no cure for herpes, but medication can ease your symptoms and lower your chances of giving the virus to other people. And the good news is, outbreaks usually become less frequent over time, and even though herpes can sometimes be uncomfortable and painful, it’s not dangerous. People with herpes have relationships, have sex, and live perfectly healthy lives.

What’s the difference between genital herpes and oral herpes?

Because there are 2 different kinds of herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) that can live on many body parts, lots of people are confused about what to call these infections. But it’s actually pretty simple:

• When you get either HSV-1 or HSV-2 on or around your genitals (vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs), it’s called genital herpes.

• When you get either HSV-1 or HSV-2 in or around your lips, mouth, and throat, it’s called oral herpes. Oral herpes sores are sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters.

HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes, and HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes — each strain prefers to live on its favorite area. But it’s totally possible for both types of herpes simplex to infect either area. For example, you can get HSV-1 on your genitals if someone with a cold sore on their lips gives you oral sex. And you can get HSV-2 in your mouth if you give oral sex to someone with HSV-2 on their genitals.

How do you get herpes?

Herpes is easily spread from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. You can get it when your genitals and/or mouth touch their genitals and/or mouth — usually during oral, anal, and vaginal sex.

Herpes can be passed even if the penis or tongue doesn’t go all the way in the vagina, anus, or mouth. You don’t have to cum to spread herpes. All it takes is some quick skin-to-skin touching. You can also get herpes from kissing someone who has oral herpes.

The skin on your genitals, mouth, and eyes can be infected easily. Other areas of skin may get infected if there’s a way for the herpes virus to get in, like through a cut, burn, rash, or other sores. You don’t have to have sex to get herpes. Sometimes herpes can be passed in non-sexual ways, like if a parent with a cold sore gives you a peck on the lips. Most people with oral herpes got it when they were kids.  A mother can pass genital herpes to a baby during vaginal childbirth, but that’s pretty rare.

You can spread herpes to other parts of your body if you touch a herpes sore and then touch your mouth, genitals, or eyes without washing your hands first. You can also pass herpes to someone else this way.

Herpes is most contagious when sores are open and wet, because fluid from herpes blisters easily spreads the virus. But herpes can also “shed” and get passed to others when there are no sores and your skin looks totally normal.

Most people get herpes from someone who doesn’t have any sores. It may live in your body for years without causing any symptoms, so it’s really hard to know for sure when and how you got it. That’s why so many people have herpes — it’s a pretty sneaky infection.

Because the virus dies quickly outside the body, you can’t get herpes from hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on toilet seats.

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