How Contagious is Herpes

Herpes is a virus that causes a serious infection in the body. That infection manifests itself through the formation of open sores and blisters during an outbreak.  Most people understand that any type of virus can be passed from one person to another, especially when it is in its active stage. But, Herpes is different because, unlike other viruses, it never completely leaves the body.  Even if a person experiences no outbreak of sores for years, the virus is still hiding in the body. This means that others can contract it even when a patient is not exhibiting any outward sign of the disease.

The Herpes Simplex Virus comes in two main forms: one that causes oral sores and blisters around the lips and mouth (Herpes Simplex I) and one that causes the same sores and blisters in the genital area (Herpes Simplex II). Both are equally contagious, although Herpes Simplex II can only be passed to another through intimate or sexual contact.

Both herpes virus strains are usually only passed from one person to another through skin to skin contact.  Secondary contact through an inanimate object like a phone, fork, cup, etc. is possible but extremely rare.  The reason is simple: it is the human body that keeps the virus alive and it does not last long once it strays from its human host.

What does that mean exactly? Well, about 99% of the time, it is impossible to contract herpes by drinking from someone else’s cup, sitting on a toilet they have previously used or even using a telephone they were speaking on. As long as several minutes have passed since their last use, the odds are good that any leftover virus has already died.

Now, if you take a bite from their fork immediately after they used it, then conceivably, yes, the virus can be passed on to you, but the contact ahs to be imemdiate.

When talking about oral herpes, the odds of passing it to a friend or family member other than during an active outbreak is rare and even then you would need to kiss them or share a lipstick or chap stick while the blisters are noticeable on the lips.

Consider this: it has been estimated that 90% of the population already has the Herpes Simplex I virus, so although it is contagious, the odds are good that you will never pass it along to anyone else who does not have it.

Now, the story is a little different when talking about Herpes Simplex II, or genital herpes.  This highly contagious disease can be passed to another through close intimate contact like anal, oral or traditional intercourse.  The most contagious time of the disease is of course during an active outbreak of blisters, when transmission is almost guaranteed.

But, it should be noted that as many as one in six herpes patients can transmit the disease even while it is in its dormant or asymptomatic phase. This is due to something called viral shedding.  This is a time when the virus begins to multiply within the body (with no symptoms present) and can be easily passed to another. Since there is no way to tell when this viral shedding is occurring, those with genital herpes should always wear a condom when having sexual intercourse, and avoid other intimate contact with partners with herpes.

Another note to consider: many women experience deep a vaginal blisters that they do not know are there, which means they could be in the middle of an active outbreak and not even know it, which can put her partner at a greater risk of contracting the disease, even when a condom is worn.

So, what does all of this mean?  Basically, herpes is a very contagious disease which requires its victims to take precautions to protect those they come in contact with whether or not they are experiencing any noticeable symptoms.

Pregnant women too, are usually advised to have a C-section instead of a vaginal delivery to ensure that the baby does not contract the disease during birth.

In addition to abstaining from sexual or close intimate contact during an outbreak, there are ointments and medications which can be used to help lesson the number of attacks experienced and help protect the patient form passing on the infection to others. Many people have also tried a variety of homeopathic remedies to kill of the virus, but it should be noted that these remedies seem to work, there is no evidence that it actually rids the body of the herpes virus, but rather, only sends it into a dormant stage.

For more information on how contagious herpes is, be sure to talk with your doctor about all of the things you must know, both for your own health, but for the safety of those who love.