One of many concerning issues about herpes is – can you get herpes from kissing? Well, it is possible. But you will be in danger of developing oral herpes from kissing someone. However, Genital herpes is almost impossible through oral kisses.
Herpes spreads in different ways. For example, oral herpes usually spreads from kissing. But that is no reason to swear a no-kissing oath ( just saying). If you kissed someone and are worried if that will cause herpes, then this article should be helpful.
In this article, I have helped you find out if herpes causes herpes. You will learn all there is to know about herpes developing from kissing. We will start by telling you what herpes is –
What Is Herpes?
Oral herpes is a very common virus causing soreness on your genital and your mouth. Oral herpes (HSV-) and genital herpes (HSV-2) can be quite troublesome since they cause pain. However, you can let the sigh of relief out because neither cold sores nor mouth herpes leads to any serious health hazards.
You get the virus and the soreness due to the transmission of the HSV virus. Usually, skin-to-skin contact with a person with herpes can cause herpes. Genital herpes, on the other hand, spreads due to oral, vaginal, or anal sex. So let’s find out how you might get herpes – in detail.
Can You Get Herpes From Kissing Someone?
Yes, you can get herpes from kissing. It usually happens due to skin to contact with someone already having herpes. But the chance of having genital herpes from kissing is less likely to happen. Kissing mouth to mouth can cause the transmission of the virus named HSV-1, causing cold sores.
If you have a skin to skin contact with the affected individual, you can get herpes from their saliva or the surface around their mouth. According to data, 90% of American people usually have herpes. Usually, babies get herpes from a kiss from someone’s relative or someone in the family with herpes.
No, it does not always have to be a French kiss to transmit herpes. You can get herpes from a simple peck on the chick. Kissing using the tongue or the tip of the lips and all the other types of kisses can cause herpes. No research shows one type of kiss as more dangerous than another when it comes to spreading herpes.
Can you get genital herpes from kissing? It is almost impossible unless you are kissing the genital area of someone affected with herpes. Oral-to-genital contact can also transmit HSV. However, kissing might be linked to different types of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) being transmitted.
How Do You Get Herpes?
As I mentioned above, you get herpes only through skin-to-skin contact. I could be in both direct or indirect contact with the person affected by herpes. Here are different ways you can get herpes –
- You can get herpes from kissing. Kissing can cause oral herpes or oral herpes or cold sores.
- Skins on the genital area, eyes, and mouth get easily affected by Herpes.
- Herpes virus can also get in through a cut, rash, burn, or other sores.
- Newborn babies might get herpes from their mothers due to vaginal childbirth.
- Indirect touch can cause herpes when you touch someone with herpes and touch your eyes, mouth, or genital area after that.
- When the sores are open and wait, the chances of someone getting herpes are higher.
- People with zero symptoms usually spread herpes more than people with more prominent symptoms.
- Herpes usually dies quickly once they are outside the human body. However, they can shed and contaminate people who are not yet affected by herpes.
- Herpes can also transmit by using shared objects. For example, sharing toilets, toilet seats, soaps, and even swimming pools can cause herpes.
How To Prevent Herpes?
can you get herpes from kissing? Yes. You can have herpes from kissing. But, if your partner does not have herpes, then good for you. You can have herpes only by engaging in physical contact with someone with herpes. However, you can do some limitations to make sure that you don’t catch herpes. You can practise these limitations to avoid getting herpes –
- Limit oral contact with someone affected by herpes (no kissing).
- Stop engaging in oral sex with people who have herpes.
- Do not share personal items with people who have herpes. For example – lip balms, towels, and napkins.
- If herpes symptoms are around the genital area, avoid vaginal or anal sex.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Here are some popular questions and answers related to herpes and how they affect you –
Ans: When you come in contact with someone with active symptoms of herpes, you develop the risk of getting herpes. Coming in contact with the oral secretion of a person affected by herpes leads to the transmission of HSV-1 or Herpes virus, causing herpes.
Ans: It is possible to reduce the symptoms of herpes. However, it is almost impossible to cure herpes. It is a sneaky disease that stays with you for lifelong.
Ans: Yes, even without any active symptoms, someone with herpes has the chance of transmitting the disease to someone else. However, if your partner has herpes, it would be best to use protection during sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) to avoid developing herpes around the genitals.
Ans: There are two types of herpes viruses. (HSV-1) and (HSV-2) are very contagious. The first one affects the mouth and is often called cold sores. On the other hand, HSV-2 usually affects the genital area of someone affected by the virus.
Final Words
can you get herpes from kissing on the lips? Yes. The answer should be clear to you by now. The chances of getting herpes from kissing are pretty high. If the person you kissed has herpes (either with active symptoms or not), they should be able to transmit the HSV-1 virus to you.
I hope you have the answer you were looking for. However, if you need any further help, you can reach out to us. Please let us know your feedback in the comment section.
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