Sage-Tips

Can you get HSV-1 if someone spits on you?

You shouldn’t, especially during an outbreak. You can contract herpes from sharing any objects that have made contact with the saliva of a person who carries the virus. That said, HSV can’t live very long off of the skin, so the risk of contracting it from inanimate objects is very low.

Can you catch a cold sore from spit?

ANSWER: The virus that causes cold sores usually is spread to other people through saliva. So, your inclination to avoid kissing while your husband has a cold sore is a wise move. But, it’s also true that some active virus is present at the site of a cold sore.

How do you get HSV-1 on your lips?

It can be passed by kissing, touching the infected person’s skin, or sharing infected objects such as lip balm, silverware, or razors. The 2 most common forms of the virus are: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). HSV-1 is most often linked to infections of the mouth.

What are the chances of spreading HSV-1 without an outbreak?

One study examined rates of genital herpes transmission in heterosexual couples when only one partner was initially infected [1]. Over one year, the virus was transmitted to the other partner in 10 percent of couples. In 70 percent of cases, infection occurred at a time when there were no symptoms.

Can you have herpes and cold sores at the same time?

Multiple studies have demonstrated that people can have oral herpes and genital herpes infections caused by the same type of herpes virus at the same time. 5  In other words, cold sores aren’t protection against a genital herpes infection.

Does HSV-1 cause genital or oral herpes?

It used to be said that HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes and HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes. However, the truth is that either virus can infect either location. 2  A growing percentage of genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-1.

Are cold sores and fever blisters symptoms of oral herpes?

Many people are not aware that “cold sores” or “fever blisters” are the symptoms of oral herpes. Nor do they realize that the virus that causes these sores is extremely closely related to the virus that causes genital herpes.

Can HSV-2 be transmitted through the mouth?

HSV-2 oral infections are possible. However, it is somewhat less likely that a genital HSV-2 infection would be transmitted to the mouth. HSV-2 appears to prefer the genitals as a site of infection.