You can spread the herpes virus to your partner even when you are not having an outbreak
You may not know when or how you became infected with genital herpes. The herpes virus is spread by direct, intimate skin-to-skin contact, such as oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It isn't spread through the air or toilet seats, swimming pools, or regular social interaction such as shaking hands. The virus can be active on the surface of the skin without showing any signs or causing any symptoms. That's why you can pass the virus to your partner even when you are not having an outbreak. In fact, studies show many people — and maybe even you — got genital herpes this way. To find out more about how to reduce your risk of spreading genital herpes, click here.
How the genital herpes virus acts in your body
After your skin comes into contact with the skin of an infected person during sexual activity, the herpes virus may enter your body through the skin and travel down to a group of nerves near the base of the spine. There, it goes to "sleep" and can stay sleeping for months. But from time to time, the virus "wakes up," becomes active, and travels back to the surface of your skin, where it multiplies and "sheds." This shedding can occur anywhere around your groin, including areas that may not be covered by a condom or, on your thighs, hips, or buttocks. And, this shedding can occur with or without any herpes symptoms.
During an outbreak
During an outbreak, the risk of spreading genital herpes is particularly high. Symptoms are a visual signal that the virus has found its way to the surface of the skin and is shedding. That means that when signs and symptoms of genital herpes are present, any direct genital-to-genital contact or any sexual act that involves penetration, such as vaginal or anal sex, should be avoided. Oral sex such as cunnilingus (mouth on vaginal area) and fellatio (mouth on penis) should also be avoided.
Between outbreaks
Even when you don't have any signs or symptoms, the genital herpes virus may become active – because of this, it is impossible to predict when you may be contagious. In fact, one study found that up to 70% of people who had herpes got it from their partner when their partner had no signs or symptoms of an outbreak.
While a blood test may tell you if you have genital herpes, it cannot tell you how long you have been infected. So if you've been recently diagnosed, it does not necessarily mean that a long-term partner has been sexually unfaithful. You may have been previously infected with the virus, and like millions of others, unaware of your condition. Likewise, your partner may be infected and not be aware of it. The important thing is to recommend to your partner that he or she get tested for the virus.
After your skin comes into contact with the skin of an infected person during sexual activity, the herpes virus may enter your body through the skin and travel down to a group of nerves near the base of the spine. There, it goes to "sleep" and can stay sleeping for months. But from time to time, the virus "wakes up," becomes active, and travels back to the surface of your skin, where it multiplies and "sheds." This shedding can occur anywhere around your groin, including areas that may not be covered by a condom or, on your thighs, hips, or buttocks. And, this shedding can occur with or without any herpes symptoms.
During an outbreak, the risk of spreading genital herpes is particularly high. Symptoms are a visual signal that the virus has found its way to the surface of the skin and is shedding. That means that when signs and symptoms of genital herpes are present, any direct genital-to-genital contact or any sexual act that involves penetration, such as vaginal or anal sex, should be avoided. Oral sex such as cunnilingus (mouth on vaginal area) and fellatio (mouth on penis) should also be avoided.
Even when you don't have any signs or symptoms, the genital herpes virus may become active – because of this, it is impossible to predict when you may be contagious. In fact, one study found that up to 70% of people who had herpes got it from their partner when their partner had no signs or symptoms of an outbreak.
