When is herpes spread

This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission. Research also shows that herpes simplex infections are often spread by people who don't know they are infected. These people may have symptoms so mild they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes. For those who recognize their symptoms, asymptomatic transmission appears to be far less likely than spreading the virus when lesions are present.

Many couples have had sexual relations for years without transmitting herpes. Some simply avoid having sexual contact when signs or symptoms are present.

Others use condoms or other protection between outbreaks to help protect against asymptomatic shedding. One kind of complication involves spreading the virus from the location of an outbreak to other places on the body by touching the sore s. The fingers, eyes, and other body areas can accidentally become infected in this way. Preventing self-infection is simple.

Do not touch the area during an outbreak. If you do, wash your hands as soon as possible. The herpes virus is easily killed with soap and water.

Babies can become infected with the herpes virus. If you've been exposed to herpes, you need to talk with your doctor about it before you get pregnant. This is important even if you've never had symptoms or haven't had a recurrence in a long time. The doctor might arrange a test to see if virus is present when you go into labor. Remember, herpes is generally spread by direct contact. Herpes is most easily spread when a sore is present, but, it is also often spread at other times too. Some people notice itching, tingling or other sensations before they see anything on their skin.

These are called prodromal symptoms and they warn that virus may be present on the skin. Herpes is most likely to be spread from the time these first symptoms are noticed until the area is completely healed and the skin looks normal again.

Sexual contact oral, vaginal, or anal is very risky during this time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are some of the ways the herpes virus can spread: Any direct contact with an herpes infection. Medications can help reduce your symptoms, speed up the healing of an outbreak and make you less contagious.

If you know you have genital herpes before becoming pregnant, your physician will monitor your condition throughout your pregnancy.

If you have an active outbreak at the time of delivery, cesarean section C-section may be recommended. In fact, some people with the disease do not experience any symptoms for extended periods. They may still shed the virus, though, even when no symptoms are present. HSV I commonly causes oral herpes , or cold sores. This virus can show up as an upper respiratory tract infection during early childhood.

HSV II is the cause of most cases of genital herpes. Clinicians cannot tell the difference between the two types by physical examination alone, but there are differences between the two viruses. This diagnosis can be helpful in establishing a health care plan. You can catch genital herpes by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the disease. The herpes simplex viruses are latent, meaning they can live in the body without causing symptoms. After the initial infection, the virus gets into the nerve roots and spreads to the sensory nerve ganglia, the junctions where nerves from different parts of the body come together.

For the genital area, the ganglia are adjacent to the spinal cord in the lower back. For orofacial herpes cold sores , the ganglia are located behind the cheek bone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , approximately 40 million to 50 million adults in the United States have genital herpes.

HSV II infection is more common in women and in people who have had more than five sexual partners. While some people with genital herpes will never have any symptoms, other people can develop symptoms within a few weeks of being infected.

Most people notice a group or cluster of blisters or ulcers lesions. These lesions burn and can be painful. They can appear on the buttocks, anus or thighs, on the vulva or vagina in women, and on the penis or scrotum in men. Often, before the lesions appear, patients describe a prodrome, characterized by a tingling or burning sensation in the area where the lesions will develop that can be noticed during urination, along with itching or discomfort in the genital area.

The symptoms of genital herpes often go away and come back as recurring outbreaks. For most people, the first outbreak is the worst, and can last from two to three weeks. Future flare-ups are often less severe and do not last as long. Still, some people shed the virus regularly. The following triggers can make outbreaks more likely to occur:. Recurrent genital herpes is most common in the first year after the initial infection and decreases as time goes on. In many cases, anti-herpes medicine can help patients.

When a person experiences a prodrome and suspects a recurrence is going to happen, they begin taking anti-herpes medications that lessen symptoms and shorten the time of the outbreak.

Herpes can be spread when an infected person has lesions — blisters and open sores — on their body or when you do not have any symptoms.

Taking antiviral medicine can help you reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes to your sexual partners. You can also:. Many new herpes infections occur from partners who are shedding the virus asymptomatically, so condoms are highly recommended. Condoms may not be an attractive option for monogamous couples or for couples who desire to become pregnant. Couples may opt to have serological tests to determine if either partner has an asymptomatic infection.

In close monogamous relationships, the risks of transmission can be weighed against other relationship issues, such as intimacy and pregnancy. Genital herpes cannot be transmitted to another part of your body such as your arm, leg or hand after the first infection occurs.