Is Genital Herpes Contracted Through Sexual Contact Only?

Posted on Fri, 23 Aug 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 Answered on

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Is genital herpes passed through sexual contact only.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HSV can be passed by any type of sexual contact

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Genital herpes is caused by both HSV-1 and HSV-2. It can be passed through a direct contact - kissing or any type of sex. The virus stays on the skin.
HSV-1 is usually passed from person to person by kissing. HSV-1 can also spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex (fellatio, cunnilingus, analingus). If this happens, it becomes a case of genital herpes.
HSV-2 is most often passed by vaginal sex and anal sex. HSV-2 can pass from one person's genitals to another person's mouth, resulting in oral herpes.
HSV-2 cannot survive long on a non-living surface, so there is no real risk of getting it from a toilet seat or hot tub, etc.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar