How Do You Get Herpes?
According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 3.7 billion people under 50 years old have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. This is an incredibly large number and is the main cause of oral herpes. But, how can you contract the herpes simplex virus?
There are two types of the herpes simplex virus which are spread similarly:
- Type 1 (HSV-1) Oral herpes can be spread by oral contact, such as kissing or sharing utensils with someone who has a cold sore.
- Type 2 (HSV-2) Genital herpes is spread by sexual contact, including skin-to-skin contact with the infected area. It can also be spread when there are no visible sores.
Read on for a more detailed breakdown of how you can catch herpes and answers to your most commonly asked questions…
How Do You Get Oral Herpes?
The HSV-1 virus causes oral herpes, more commonly known as cold sores. This virus is very common and affects around 70% of people in the UK.
Oral herpes, or cold sores, are caused by the HSV-1 virus. These sores are highly contagious and spread easily through saliva or direct contact with someone with a sore. This includes:
- Kissing someone with a cold sore
- Touching someone’s cold sore
- Sharing items, such as utensils, towels, straws or lip balm with an infected person
How Long Are Cold Sores Contagious?
Cold sores typically clear up on their own in one to two weeks. Once all the sores have scabbed over and healed, people are no longer contagious.
Can Cold Sores Be Prevented?
There are several steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of oral herpes:
- Don’t kiss others until the sores are fully healed
- Wash your hands often, especially after touching the infected area
- Keep your glasses, utensils, towels and washcloths separate from those used by people you live with when you’re experiencing an outbreak
- Be careful not to touch your eyes as it can be dangerous if HSV-1 gets into your eyes
What Are The Symptoms Of Oral Herpes?
The main symptom of oral herpes is the small blisters or sores that appear around your mouth and lips. They can also appear on your cheeks, nose or chin. After a few days, these sores might start to ooze a clear liquid and then crust over. Before the sores form, many people notice a tingling or itching sensation.
If this is the first time you have had an outbreak of oral herpes, the symptoms might not appear immediately. Sometimes symptoms can take up to 20 days to appear. Read our blog, ‘How Long After Sex do STI Symptoms Appear?’.
Other symptoms of a first-time outbreak might include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Painful gums
- Swollen lymph nodes
How Do You Treat Oral Herpes?
Most cold sores or outbreaks of oral herpes will clear up on their own. However, you should see a doctor if:
- The sores don’t heal within two weeks
- The symptoms are severe
- You’ve had many outbreaks
- You have a weakened immune system
- You have painful eyes
Prescription antiviral medicines or creams can be used to help your outbreak heal more quickly.
Will Oral Herpes Come Back?
Once you have been infected by the HSV-1 virus, it will never go away. The virus will remain dormant in a group of nerve cells called the trigeminal ganglion. This dormancy period can last months or years. Some people will never have another outbreak after their initial one and some people might have the virus but never have any visible symptoms.
Many factors can lead to an outbreak of oral herpes, including:
- Hormonal changes, including pregnancy and menstruation
- Emotional or physical stress
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Extreme temperatures
- Illnesses, such as cold or flu
- Dry or cracked lips
How Do You Get Genital Herpes?
The HSV-2 virus causes genital herpes and affects around 10% of the UK population. Genital herpes can also be caused by the HSV-1 virus, but this is rarer.
Genital herpes is highly contagious and can be passed on from the first sign of an outbreak to after the sores have fully healed. It’s also possible to pass on the HSV-2 virus if you don’t have visible sores or symptoms.
HSV-2 is passed on through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus or through sharing sex toys. You can get genital herpes:
- From vaginal, anal and oral sex
- If there are no visible sores
- If a cold sore touches your genitals
- By transferring the infection from someone else to your genitals through your fingers
You can’t get genital herpes from objects, as the virus can’t survive for long away from skin.
Can Genital Herpes Be Prevented?
You can reduce the chance of contracting genital herpes or passing on the virus if you already have it by:
- Using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Be aware that it’s still possible for the virus to be passed on if the condom doesn’t cover the blisters.
- Avoiding all forms of sex if you or your partner have blisters or you suspect that a genital herpes outbreak is coming.
- Avoiding sharing sex toys or washing them thoroughly and putting a condom on them.
What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes?
The main symptoms of genital herpes are small blisters around your genitals, thighs, anus or bottom. These blisters might burst leaving behind painful, red sores, which might look less red on brown or black skin.
Other symptoms of genital herpes include:
- Pain when you pee
- Unusual discharge
- Burning or itching around your genitals
Read our blog, ‘What are the symptoms of genital herpes?’, for more detailed information.
How Do You Treat Genital Herpes?
Symptoms of genital herpes can clear up themselves, but it’s still essential that you visit a sexual health clinic or take an STI test. A doctor or nurse will need to examine the affected area to diagnose you and they might need to take a swab so that they can be sure it’s herpes. You might be prescribed antiviral medicine to stop your symptoms getting worse and/or cream to reduce your discomfort.
Will Genital Herpes Come Back?
Once you have HSV-2, it will stay in your body forever. It won’t spread to other areas of your body. Instead it stays in a nerve nearby and causes sores in the same area. If you have had genital herpes once, then it’s possible that you’ll have more outbreaks in the future. For most people, outbreaks are less severe than the initial infection.
There are many factors that can trigger an outbreak including:
- Ultraviolet light, for example from sunbathing
- Tight clothing around your genitals
- Friction from sex
- Drinking alcohol or smoking
- Physical or emotional stress
- Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menstruation
- A weakened immune system
If you’d like more information on managing genital herpes outbreaks, have a look at our blog, ‘Living with genital herpes’.
Get Tested For Herpes With Your Sexual Health
If you think you might have genital herpes, it’s essential that you get tested to avoid passing the virus on to current or future partners.
At Your Sexual Health, we offer private sexual health screening in over 100 clinics across the country and convenient home visits. We also offer comprehensive home testing kits, which can test for current or past herpes infections.
Book a private STD screening through our Tests Page, or contact our helpful team if you need any additional information.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can You Get Herpes From Kissing?
Oral herpes is caused by the HSV-1 virus and results from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. One of the most common forms of transmission is kissing someone who has oral herpes or cold sores. However, you can’t get genital herpes from kissing.
Can You Get Herpes From Sharing a Drink?
It is possible for oral herpes to spread through sharing utensils, straws or cups. The virus can only remain alive away from skin for a short period of time, so the likelihood of transmission is fairly low. However, if a person is experiencing a herpes outbreak and has blisters or sores they should avoid sharing utensils with others.
Can You Get Herpes When Using a Condom?
It is possible to get herpes even if you use a condom. This can happen if the condom doesn’t cover the infected area where the sores are. If you have an outbreak of genital herpes you should avoid all forms of sexual intercourse to avoid passing the virus on.
Is Herpes an STD?
Genital herpes is classed as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) because it’s spread through sexual contact.
Oral herpes isn’t always spread through sexual contact. In fact, many people first get oral herpes or cold sores when they are young from non-sexual contact from a relative or friend. However, oral herpes is still considered to be an STD because it can be transmitted through kissing or sexual contact.
