Herpes is a highly contagious viral infection. The name herpes is short for herpes simplex, which includes many different types of the herpes virus including HSV1. This form of the herpes virus is responsible for cold sores on the mouth or nose. However, herpes simplex 2 is what causes genital herpes sores. A herpes outbreak, whether from HSV1 or HSV2, has the same symptoms, which includes the formation of lesions on the skin. Itching or burning in the infected area may take place as well. Once the virus has been found in your body it is there for life regardless of an outbreak.
Sexual Intercourse
Having sex with an infected partner can cause the virus to transfer from one partner to the other. Herpes is considered a sexually transmitted disease and is highly contagious during an outbreak. Genital herpes can be spread from the genitals when the infected partners genitals touch a non-infected partner. It can be spread through oral and anal sex as well. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, herpes can be spread through intercourse even when there are no lesions present. The virus can reappear several times, although not as strong as the initial outbreak and will eventually appear less and less frequently.
From Mother to Baby
Pregnant women who are infected with the herpes virus can pass the infection to the infant during labor. The infection can be a potentially life threatening ordeal to an infant. According to the MayoClinic.com, an infant is at a higher risk for getting the disease when a mother is experiencing the initial outbreak from herpes. It can cause the baby to be delivered prematurely as well. It can also be potentially dangerous if the mother is unaware that she has the herpes virus. Women who had the infection prior to becoming pregnant have a higher opportunity in delivering a healthy baby, if proper treatment was received. Early treatment before pregnancy can help the body to build stronger immunity to the herpes virus.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Most herpes infections are transferred by direct contact with the skin. When herpes lesions and blisters come in direct contact with skin, they transmit the infection to another individual. This is especially true when blisters from an outbreak are open and exposed. The blisters will eventually dry up and go away within a few days of an outbreak because the virus cannot survive on the surface of the skin.
