How is herpes transmitted non sexually?
When most people hear of “catching herpes,” they think of sexual activity. Sex is the most common way that herpes is spread, but it can be spread in other ways as well. Not all the herpes spread through sex. From birth to innocent, accidental physical contact, non-sexually transmitted herpes is a very real thing you should be aware.
Non-Sexual Ways to spread herpes
The herpes virus enters the body through the skin and mucous membranes (especially the mouth and genitals) and travels along the nerve endings to the base of the spine, where it remains by feeding off nutrients produced by the body cells. As such, the more common causes of herpes transmission are kissing, or direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has an active infection.
Herpes transmission can take place even if you don’t have any symptoms of genital herpes. In fact, most people with genital herpes are asymptomatic, meaning a huge percentage of herpes transmission occurs without the responsible person being aware of their status.
Herpes can be transmitted through oral sex
Sexual contact usually spreads the HSV-2 form of the herpes virus. However, it’s also possible for HSV-1 to spread from the mouth (where it causes oral herpes) to the genitals through oral sex.
It’s even possible for herpes to spread from the mouth to the genitals without direct oral sexual contact. For example, if you have oral herpes and touch your mouth shortly before touching the genitals of your sexual partner, there’s still a risk of transmitting the virus.
You can spread the virus via the fingers
It is possible, however, to spread the virus via the fingers (i.e., if someone touches an active sore and then touches a mucous membrane), including manual stimulation and masturbation. For this reason it is imperative not to touch active sores in your mouth or on your genitals, and, if you do, to wash your hands as soon as possible afterwards. It's recommended that people with active sores (regardless of location) avoid intimate contact until the sores are completely healed.
Kissing
One of the most common ways in which the herpes virus spreads is through kissing. If you have HSV-1, which usually causes oral herpes, there’s a risk of you transmitting the virus to others via your saliva.
When the herpes virus is active, it’s present in the saliva in your mouth and on your lips. Even a momentary kiss can be enough for HSV-1 transmission, resulting in them becoming infected.
Like with genital herpes, it’s possible to pass on oral herpes (typically HSV-1) even if you don’t have any symptoms, a process called "shedding." Many people with oral herpes are completely asymptomatic, meaning the virus can spread through their saliva without them ever knowing about their herpes status.
Birth
Herpes can also spread through birth. Women who have active herpes at the time of birth (for example, an ongoing genital herpes outbreak) can potentially pass the herpes virus on to their child during the process of giving birth.
Herpes is a serious health risk for young children, with the potential for infections of the skin, eyes and mouth. Many infants that develop herpes through birth also experience diseases of the central nervous system caused by the virus. In some cases, the virus can even be fatal.
Because of this, doctors take significant precautions for expectant mothers with active genital herpes outbreaks. Often, women with herpes are advised to try cesarean delivery to minimize risks to their child, or examined to make sure there’s no sign of an outbreak during delivery.
Even though genital herpes is fairly common, it’s very rare for it to affect children. Up to one in 10,000 newborn babies are infected with the virus, making herpes acquisition through birth an extremely rare issue.
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Indirect Contact
Finally, it’s also possible for herpes to spread through indirect contact between a person with the virus and an uninfected person. For example, the herpes virus can theoretically spread from one person to another through a wet towel, straw, utensil or other shared item.
The key word here is theoretical. The herpes virus dies extremely quickly when it’s exposed to air, meaning the risk of catching herpes from a straw or towel is very low. For most people, the chance of acquiring herpes this way is almost zero percent.
However, it is hypothetically possible for herpes to spread from one person to another by quickly reusing a straw, spoon or other item that came into contact with an infected person’s saliva.
No need to be overly worried about non-person contact.
As for shared items such as toilet seats, the risk of contracting herpes from another person this way is almost zero. Transmission of the virus via routes like sharing bed linen, clothing, towels, eating utensils, shared cups/glasses, and in public spas is less likely. The take home message is that the majority of herpes cases are spread through intimate (though not always sexual) contact.
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PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.