Causes of Herpes Simplex?
Herpes simplex is a contagious virus that can be transmitted through direct contact with sores.
Because the virus sheds on a small percentage of days, it’s possible to transmit or contract HSV when it is asymptomatic. In fact, most people contract HSV from people who don’t know they have the virus.
HSV-1
HSV-1 or oral herpes can be transmitted or contracted through direct contact with a herpes sore, saliva, or other bodily secretion during an episode.
Examples of direct contact include:
- Kissing
- Oral sex
- Any form of skin-to-skin contact
This means that if you touch a partner’s cold sores and touch your face or genitals afterwards, you could contract the virus. Many children contract the virus after being kissed or touched on the face by an adult with a cold sore.
The virus can be transmitted through shared lip balm, razors, or drinkware and eating utensils, although this is rare. Older estimates suggest the virus can only live outside your body for a few hours to a few days.
Most of the time, the virus is transmitted through contact with sores or the site of the infection during viral shedding.