Herpes, caused by HSV I and II, is contagious in most forms, including chickenpox and shingles. Genital herpes can be contagious at all times, including during prodromal symptoms, making it difficult to know how to treat intimate contact with an infected partner. Pregnant women have a higher risk of passing herpes to their children and should use condoms with an infected partner. Active infection makes herpes more contagious, and it’s important to avoid contact with rashes or cold sores and not to share towels or sheets.
Doctors consider herpes to be contagious in most of its forms. The most frequently investigated virus types are oral and genital herpes, which are caused by herpes simplex I and II, or HSV I and II. Many other conditions also result from different herpes viruses, including chicken pox and shingles. Both of these are forms of herpes that are contagious to most people who have not had chickenpox.
The question that interests many is when is oral and genital herpes contagious? For a long time, genital herpes, caused by HSV I or II, was thought to be contagious only during its periods of active expression. This meant that when people got a rash or a cold sore, they could pass the disease on to other people. Other times the virus was deemed non-transmissible.
There has been a certain trend reversal on this point of view in recent years. First, a few days before the rash appears, people may have so-called prodromal symptoms. This is often felt as a tingling or prickling skin. Doctors are sure that herpes can be passed on to other people during this time. Some people can be contagious when they don’t have any symptoms, making herpes potentially contagious at all times.
There is still some debate over the theory that herpes can be contagious at any time. Many people have infected partners with whom they have strictly avoided skin-to-skin contact while experiencing genital rashes or cold sores. They have never had herpes, although they have had unprotected sex at other times, perhaps to conceive children. One possibility is that some people are more effective carriers of the disease than others and can spread it more easily. However, people cannot predict how contagious a partner is and this makes it difficult to know how to treat intimate contact with a partner who has herpes.
At certain times, it might make sense to use exceptional caution. Pregnant women, for example, have a much higher risk of passing herpes to their children if they get it for the first time during pregnancy. Condom use with an infected partner may be advised to reduce this risk. Antiviral drugs also make people who aren’t experiencing an active outbreak less infectious and could be recommended to reduce the potential spread of the disease
Clearly, active infection makes herpes contagious more than at any other time. It is absolutely essential that people avoid contact with someone else’s rash or cold sores. Sex should be avoided during outbreaks or if prodromal symptoms are suspected. Kissing or touching near cold sores is also discouraged.
It’s also important to realize that a person can cause a herpes infection in another part of their body. Touching the genitals, then the mouth or eyes could lead to the transmission of the infection to a new location. It is best to touch cold sores or rashes as little as possible and wash your hands immediately afterwards. Many doctors also advise people not to share towels or sheets that are in direct contact with the skin, as it is possible to infect someone else this way.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
