Can you transmit HSV-1 through kissing?
Yes, you can contract oral herpes, aka cold sores, from kissing, but developing genital herpes this way is less likely. Oral herpes (HSV-1) is usually transmitted by kissing, and genital herpes (HSV-2) is most often spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
How easily can you spread HSV-1?
Less commonly, HSV-1 can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact to cause genital herpes. It can be transmitted from oral or skin surfaces that appear normal; however, the greatest risk of transmission is when there are active sores.
Can HSV-1 spread through the air?
HSV-1 primarily causes cold sores that affect the mouth and lips (oral herpes). It’s commonly spread through oral contact between people, such as kissing or sharing certain items without providing enough time for the virus to die from air exposure.
Can HSV-1 be transmitted through saliva without an outbreak?
Herpes can only be passed through direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected area such as kissing, oral sex, genital-to-genital rubbing, vaginal, and anal sex. Herpes (both oral & genital) can be spread even when there are no symptoms or sores. This is called asymptomatic shedding.
Can you get HSV-1 from sharing a drink?
HSV-1 is so common that most Americans get infected with it, although many never have any symptoms. People can catch HSV-1 by kissing a person with a cold sore or sharing a drinking glass or utensils, so it’s easy to see why there are so many cold sores around.
Can you get HSV-1 in two places?
It is rare to get the same type of herpes on two different areas of the body. This means that if you have HSV-1 on the mouth, you should not get HSV-1 on the genitals. When you are exposed to herpes, your body starts to form antibodies that will protect you if you are exposed to this type of herpes again.