The herpes simplex virus is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes painful blisters and sores. The contagious virus spreads via direct contact between people. The transmission occurs either through skin-to-skin contact or with the exchange of infected bodily fluids. There is no cure for the herpes virus. The most common areas for the sores to occur are on the lips and the genitals due to two types of herpes viral infections: herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Sexual Contact
Sexual contact spreads HSV-1 from person to person, most often through sexual contact. Sexual intercourse without a condom increases the risk of contracting the herpes virus because of the direct skin-to-skin contact and the exchange of bodily fluids. The virus also spreads through episodes of sexual outercourse, or direct skin contact through rubbing the genitals together without clothing between the partners. The virus can spread even without any sores or blisters present on the genitals of the infected individual, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Oral Contact
The HSV-2 causes cold sores on the mouth and lips. This virus infects over half of adults in the United States by the second decade of life, according to Medline Plus. The virus transmits easily from person to person by direct contact with the skin and saliva through kissing. The oral herpes virus can also spread to the genitals through oral sex with an infected partner, while the genital herpes virus can also spread from the genitals of an infected partner to the mouth of the partner.
Autoinoculation
An individual can spread both herpes viruses to other parts of the body, what's called autoinoculation. Touching a herpes sore on one location on the body and not washing the hands allows the virus to transfer to additional locations. The virus can spread from the mouth to the genitals, the genitals to the mouth and from either to the eyes.
Mother to Child
Mothers can transfer the herpes virus to their child during the birthing process. A newborn immune system cannot handle the herpes virus, and an infection can make the baby extremely sick. According to the Mayo Clinic, taking special precautions such as suppressive therapy during the final months of pregnancy and having a cesarean section for women with active sores helps decrease the chances of transmission to the baby.
