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.

Can Herpes Be Cured

There is a lot of debate within the medical community as to whether or not the herpes simplex virus can actually be stricken from the body once and for all.  With little real knowledge as to whether a cure is possible, each patient must work with his/her doctor to determine whether or not their disease is gone for good.

The herpes virus comes in two distinct forms: Herpes Simplex I and Herpes Simplex II.  Both are highly contagious and can be spread from one person to another with close contact. In the case of Herpes Simplex II (otherwise referred to as genital herpes), sexual contact is the main way the infection is transmitted from person to person.

It has been well established within the medical field that neither herpes virus can be cured since it remains in the body throughout the victim’s lifetime.  Not always active, the infection can actually lay dormant for weeks, months, or in some cases, years without ever making its presence known. Then one day, something triggers a reaction within the body and the virus becomes alive and active once again and an outbreak occurs.

Since both versions of the infection can be transmitted even without open sores or blisters being present, it is very important for patients to take precautions to keep from spreading the disease.

Herpes Simplex I virus is normally considered an annoying but benign disease, causing painful cold sores in and around the mouth. Sharing straws, drinks and kisses should be avoided during an outbreak.

The more hideous strain of the disease affects the genital are and sexual organs.  Herpes Simplex II, also referred to as genital herpes is highly contagious and can be spreads through intimate contact, even when a condom is worn.

Since abstaining from sex is necessary during an outbreak and precautions must be taken even when the infection lies dormant within the body, researchers have been looking for a cure for the disease for some time.

Now it appears that a permanent cure may be on the horizon.  Many researchers now believe that there are ways to reverse the disease (and actually cure it). The problem is, they say, is that current testing measures look for antibodies of the disease in the bloodstream in order to diagnosis herpes and since anyone who has ever suffered with the disease will have these antibodies present, there is no way to determine if the infection is gone for good.

Some doctors and patients have reported a lack of symptoms for ten years or more after certain protocols have been sued, but the medical community has yet to acknowledge that the infection is gone for good.  Until now.

In recent years a new test has become available, which is based on viral DNA rather than the presence of herpes antibodies to determine whether or not the infection remains dormant in the body or has been eradicated.  Now that a test can be performed to determine the true stage of the disease within the body, it will be easier for doctors and researchers to pinpoint a real cure should one be discovered.

When it comes to “curing” herpes, there have been a lot of people who claim to have found one. Yet no medical society to date will acknowledge the existence of a real cure for this very contagious disease.

Among the many treatment options now being studied for herpes include this homeopathic cure:

• Waiting to administer the protocol until the patient’s immune system is weakened by an illness which triggers a herpes outbreak (otherwise the body will send the infection into its dormant stage to prevent its destruction)
• Removing all carbohydrates and sugar form the diet for 2 weeks
• During this 2 week period take lysine, zinc and a food based multivitamin daily
• Increasing your protein intake
• Avoiding all nuts and nut based products
• Applying a 2% iodine patch to the skin (about the size of a large coin) every day for 2 weeks.  If your skin absorbs the patch in less than 12 hours, it is okay to increase the amount.

In the event your symptoms return, you may have to use the protocol several times to completely eradicate the disease from your body.


Of course this is not the only homeopathic remedy for treating herpes. Herpes Simplex I seems to also respond well to Astragalus’s supplements when taken at the first is of an outbreak. 

While a real cure for herpes may still be some time away, researchers are working diligently to find a permanent cure for the disease. In the meantime, some homeopathic doctors are citing some success and those who suffer repeated bouts of herpes outbreak may want to consider looking into these alternative treatment methods for relief.