How likely is hsv 1 to spread

Question:

I have recently been diagnosed with herpes simplex virus 1. Does that mean I will never be able to kiss?

Answer:

Let's begin with a quick review of how our immune system works. When your body recognizes an invader, such as a virus, it quickly manufactures fighter cells — also known as antibodies — to that invader. Once the invader is conquered, most of those antibodies become inactive, but a few hang around…just in case! Most blood tests used to look for viruses are actually looking to detect the presence of antibodies to that virus.

So you “tested positive” for Herpes Simplex Type 1, or HSV-1. That means that there was a detectable level of antibody to HSV-1 in your blood stream. It could be a recent exposure, or a really old exposure — there is no way of telling.

HSV-1 is a very common infection; worldwide, more than 90 percent of people will test positive for the virus. Once you have the virus, it never leaves your body — it just goes to sleep in a nerve ending and “wakes up” when your defenses are down, like when you are exhausted, stressed out, sick, etc. When the virus wakes up, it can express itself in many ways such as blisters in your mouth, on your lip, in your eye, and even sometimes on your genitals.

We know that contact with active herpes lesions or oral secretions (like saliva) can lead to HSV-1 transmission to another person. In fact, studies have shown that up to 9 percent of adults have detectable HSV-1 particles in their saliva, even with no symptoms at all. However, the viral titer is 1,000 times higher in fluid obtained from actual HSV-1 lesions. As a result, transmission is MUCH more likely to happen when someone has active symptoms.

So, can you ever kiss again? I vote yes, although there is a slight chance of transmitting the virus even in the absence of any symptoms. To reduce the likelihood of transmission, if you DO have an active HSV-1 lesion (like a lip blister), skip the kiss…and give a hug!

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.

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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