Genital Herpes And Pregnancy
It is important to avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy. A first episode during pregnancy can create a greater risk of transmission to a newborn.
Fortunately, it is rare for women with genital herpes to infect their babies. If you know that 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, a C-section may be recommended. Depending on individual diagnosis, though, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorses suppressive therapy to reduce the frequency of C-section.
Can Genital Herpes Be Transmitted Through Saliva
The answer to this question is YES, the virus that causes Genital Herpes can be transmitted through saliva. Direct contact with an infected person is the primary route through which genital herpes is spread. This direct contact can be by way of kissing and exchange of saliva even if there are no open sores in the mouth. Licking the infected area also can infect the saliva resulting in a herpes infection.
There are basically two types of herpes simplex virus HSV-1 and HSV-2, which both can cause genital herpes, but the most common strand of virus that causes herpes through saliva is the HSV-1 type, although some cases of HSV-2 strand have also surfaced.
This form of contraction of the herpes infection is referred to as oral herpes. Individuals with oral herpes generally tend to get cold sores or fever blisters along with other presenting features of genital herpes infection.
In summary, genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Genital Herpes is an extremely contagious infection and gets transmitted mainly by direct contact, which also includes transmission through saliva.
This direst contact through which genital herpes spreads normally consists of unprotected sex, kissing and exchange of saliva. This is referred to as oral herpes. Thus, it is right to say that genital herpes can be transmitted through saliva and any form of physical contact should be avoided with an individual who is at risk for genital herpes.
Does The Type Of Kiss Matter
Nope. Full-on tongue action, a peck on the cheek, and every other kind of kiss in between can spread herpes.
There isnt any research showing that one type of kiss is riskier than another when it comes to oral herpes risk. That said, theres evidence that the risk of some sexually transmitted infections goes up with open-mouthed kissing.
Remember that kissing isnt restricted to the face either making oral-to-genital contact can transmit HSV, too.
The risk of transmission is higher when there are visible sores or blisters, but you or your partner can still contract herpes oral or genital if symptoms arent present.
Once you contract herpes simplex, its in the body for life.
Not everyone experiences an outbreak, but everyone with the virus experiences periods of asymptomatic shedding. This is why herpes can be spread even when there are no visible symptoms.
Its impossible to predict when shedding will occur or how contagious you or your partners condition will be. Everyone is different.
You shouldnt, especially during an outbreak.
You can contract herpes from sharing any objects that have made contact with the saliva of a person who carries the virus.
That said, HSV cant live very long off of the skin, so the risk of contracting it from inanimate objects is very low.
Still, the best way to minimize your risk is to use your own lipstick, fork, or whatever else.
For starters, avoid direct skin-to-skin contact during an outbreak.
of transmission.
Recommended Reading: How To Reduce Genital Herpes Outbreaks
Herpes Encephalitis And Meningitis
Herpes Encephalitis
Herpes simplex encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2. It is a rare but extremely serious brain disease. Untreated, herpes encephalitis is fatal most of the time. Respiratory arrest can occur within the first 24 to 72 hours. Fortunately, rapid diagnostic tests and treatment with acyclovir have significantly improved survival rates and reduced complication rates. Nearly all who recover have some impairment, ranging from very mild neurological changes to paralysis.
Herpes Meningitis
Herpes simplex meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord. It is mainly caused by HSV-2. Like encephalitis, meningitis symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Fortunately, herpes meningitis usually resolves after about a week without complications, although symptoms can recur.
Oral Herpes Poses A Risk Beyond Cold Sores
Dating when you have a cold sore can embarrassing. But embarrassment shouldnt stop you from telling a sexual partner if you feel one coming on or there is one hidden behind your lip.
Even if youre on the mend, cold sores are highly contagious and may do more than just transmit the infection to your partner. It may increase your risk of a sexually transmitted disease .
Don’t Miss: How To Contract Genital Herpes
Complications Associated With Cold Sores
The initial contraction of herpes simplex can cause more severe symptoms and complications, as your body hasnt built up a defense to the virus yet. Complications are rare, but can occur, especially in young children. Call your doctor immediately if youre experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- high or persistent fever
- red, irritated eyes with or without discharge
Complications are more likely to occur in people who have eczema or a condition that weakens their immune system, such as cancer or AIDS. If you do have any of these conditions, contact your doctor if you think youve contracted the herpes simplex virus.
Theres no cure for cold sores, but some people with the herpes simplex virus rarely have outbreaks. When cold sores do develop, there are several ways to treat them.
How Is Herpes Simplex Caught And Passed On
The facts about passing on/transmitting herpes are clear:
Herpes is passed directly from the affected area of skin , by direct skin to skin contact, with friction, when the virus is present.
It can be passed from the face of one person to the genitals of another through oral sex, when the virus is active.
You can pass it on from the affected area, when the virus is present on the skin surface: from the first warning signs that a recurrence is starting , through the time when there are sores or blisters, until they have healed and fresh skin has grown back.
Get this two-page summary which covers the basics.
About six in ten adults by age 25 carry herpes simplex virus type 1 and one in ten carries type 2. Even more people carry herpes simplex virus in older age groups but most dont know. Only around one in three of those infected with either type is aware of this.
Also Check: How To Tell If You Have Herpes
Don’t Miss: Can You Kiss Someone With Herpes
Yes You Can Get Herpes From Kissing
Unfortunately, it’s not a myth. HSV-1, or oral herpes, is spread through direct contact, which means it is possible to become infected if you kiss a person that has the virus.
In fact, even if that person isnt experiencing an outbreak or showing any symptoms of the virus, they can still spread it to you via a process called asymptomatic viral shedding.
Even if its just a peck on the lips, its still enough contact to spread the virus under the right circumstances.
Find An Experienced Ob
As previously mentioned, most people living with herpes dont realize that they have the virus. The virus is classified into two: herpes simplex virus type 2 and herpes simplex virus type 1. It is transmitted by sexual contact, contact with infected saliva, or mouth-to-mouth contact. While the symptoms come and go, these types of herpes are incurable and contagious. Also, the virus does not always show symptoms, so getting tested is essential. The qualified gynecologists at All Womens Care in Los Angeles can test you and assist you in managing the virus. To learn more about herpes and how we can help you, call us today at .
You May Like: Do I Need To Take Medication For Herpes
Is There A Way To Prevent Stds From Kissing
Abstinence is the only way to completely prevent oral STDs. But kissing is enjoyable, and may even have some health benefits.
If you like kissing, here are some strategies for lowering your chances of getting an oral STD:
-
Avoid kissing if you or your partner have any sores or cuts in the mouth.
-
Dont bite while kissing.
-
Dont brush or floss right before/after kissing.
-
Practice good, regular dental hygiene.
-
Avoid kissing if you feel sick.
-
If you enjoy using your mouth for other sexual activities, like oral sex, use a barrier like a dental dam or condom.
-
Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B.
What Are The Complications Of Genital Herpes
Genital herpes may cause painful genital ulcers that can be severe and persistent in persons with suppressed immune systems, such as HIV-infected persons. 5 Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can also cause rare but serious complications such as aseptic meningitis . 5 Development of extragenital lesions may occur during the course of infection. 5
There are also potential complications for a pregnant woman and her newborn child. See How does herpes infection affect a pregnant woman and her baby? below for information about this.
Recommended Reading: What Can Help Herpes Outbreaks
What Should I Do If I Have Herpes
If youre diagnosed with herpes, speak with your medical provider about the best course of action. There is no cure for herpes, but it is manageable with medication, and many people dont experience symptoms. During the initial outbreak, your doctor may prescribe 7 to 10 days of antiviral therapy. This typically helps the sores heal faster. Antiviral drugs, like valacyclovir, can help during subsequent outbreaks as well. If youve been previously diagnosed with herpes, Nurx can prescribe oral or genital herpes treatment online and deliver the medication to your door with free shipping. To request herpes treatment from Nurx, get started here.
Patients who have frequent outbreaks can take an antiviral drug daily as suppressive therapy. Doing so can decrease the number of outbreaks youll get. It also shortens the duration of outbreaks and minimizes some symptoms.
How Does Herpes Simplex Spread
Herpes spreads through close contact with a person who has the infection. The virus can be found in skin and saliva. If you have herpes simplex, you are most likely to pass the virus to another person when you have sores. But you can infect someone else even if you have no symptoms. Healthcare providers call this asymptomatic viral shedding.
People may get HSV-1 through
- Touching a persons skin near the mouth.
- Sharing food utensils, lip balm or razors.
- If you receive oral sex from someone who has a cold sore, it may spread a herpes infection to your genitals.
People may get HSV-2 through
- Oral sex with someone whos infected.
- Skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation.
- Touching open sores, including while breastfeeding.
- Childbirth by a mother or gestational parent who has an active infection.
You cant get genital herpes from objects like toilet seats. But you could pass genital herpes through shared sex toys.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Herpes In Your Mouth
How Common Is Genital Herpes
Genital herpes infection is common in the United States. CDC estimated that there were 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the United States in a single year.1 Nationwide, 11.9 % of persons aged 14 to 49 years have HSV-2 infection .2 However, the prevalence of genital herpes infection is higher than that because an increasing number of genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-1. 3 Oral HSV-1 infection is typically acquired in childhood because the prevalence of oral HSV-1 infection has declined in recent decades, people may have become more susceptible to contracting a genital herpes infection from HSV-1. 4
HSV-2 infection is more common among women than among men the percentages of those infected during 2015-2016 were 15.9% versus 8.2% respectively, among 14 to 49 year olds. 2 This is possibly because genital infection is more easily transmitted from men to women than from women to men during penile-vaginal sex. 5 HSV-2 infection is more common among non-Hispanic blacks than among non-Hispanic whites . 2 A previous analysis found that these disparities, exist even among persons with similar numbers of lifetime sexual partners. Most infected persons may be unaware of their infection in the United States, an estimated 87.4% of 14 to 49 year olds infected with HSV-2 have never received a clinical diagnosis. 6
The age-adjusted percentage of persons in the United States infected with HSV-2 decreased from 18.0% in 19992000 to 12.1% in 2015-2016. 2
How Disease Is Spread
Diseases can be spread from person to person in a number of ways:
- Contact spread some diseases are spread directly from person to person, for example during kissing, or indirectly when you touch a contaminated surface or object.
- Droplet spread infected droplets from the nose and throat can usually travel around one metre before they drop onto a surface. Sometimes infected droplets can also linger in the air. Infection occurs when the infected droplet is inhaled or someone comes into contact with a contaminated surface or object.
- Airborne spread some infected particlesfrom the nose and throat can remain in the air for a long time because of their tiny size. They are called droplet nuclei and can be inhaled directly into the lungs.
Read Also: Can Genital Herpes Turn Into Hiv
How Does Genital Herpes Affect A Pregnant Woman And Her Baby
Neonatal herpes is one of the most serious complications of genital herpes.5,16 Healthcare providers should ask all pregnant women if they have a history of genital herpes.11 Herpes infection can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, or babies may be infected shortly after birth, resulting in a potentially fatal neonatal herpes infection. 17 Infants born to women who acquire genital herpes close to the time of delivery and are shedding virus at delivery are at a much higher risk for developing neonatal herpes, compared with women who have recurrent genital herpes . 16,18-20 Thus, it is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy. Women should be counseled to abstain from intercourse during the third trimester with partners known to have or suspected of having genital herpes. 5,11
What Are The Symptoms Of Gonorrhea
People with gonorrhea dont always experience symptoms, and you might never know you have the infection unless you get tested for it. When symptoms are present, they can potentially affect multiple areas in your body but most commonly occur within the genital tract.
Symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include but are not limited to:
- Painful urination.
- Pus-like discharge from one or both eyes.
You May Like: Would I Know If I Had Herpes
Can You Get Herpes From The Toilet Seat
Last, but definitely not least, on the scale of weird things that you heard about herpes as a kid: Can you get herpes from a particularly grody bathroom experience?
Dramatic Pause.
Probably not.
Herpes is most commonly transmitted through contact with open sores or infected bodily fluids. If the virus was left on a toilet seat, and it was kept at a very specific temperature, then immediate contact could result in developing herpes.
However, It is highly unlikely to contract herpes from a dry inanimate object.
The Center for Disease Control states, You will not get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, or from touching objects around you such as silverware, soap, or towels.
So, safe to say, dont think twice about getting comfortable in the wiz palace because UTIs are totally a thing, and you should never hold back the need to pee.
Though we have established that it is very unlikely, HSV-2 would be the strand of herpes most likely to be contracted during your potty time. Due to the location of exposure, this would be considered genital herpes.
Common Genital Herpes Symptoms
- Itching or burning in the genital area
These symptoms seem to be pretty apparent or noticeable, but two out of every three people with genital herpes are unaware that they possess the virus at all. Many people with genital herpes experience no symptoms. When symp-toms are not apparent, is when viruses are most likely to be spread.
How Common are Genital Herpes Anyways?
Where To Get Help
- Communicable Disease Control Unit, Department of Health Victoria Tel. 1300 651 160
- Immunisation Unit, Department of Health, Victorian Government Email:
- NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 606 024 for expert health information and advice
- Heymann, D. L. , Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th edition, American Public Health Association, Washington.
- Communicable Diseases Network Australia, Guidelines for the early clinical and public health management of meningococcal disease in Australia – Revised Edition 2007, Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government.
- Blue book – Guidelines for the control of infectious diseases, , Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Surveillance , Department of Health, Victorian Government. More information here.
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare , National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government. More information here.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Forever
How Do People Get Genital Herpes
Infections are transmitted through contact with HSV in herpes lesions, mucosal surfaces, genital secretions, or oral secretions. 5 HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from normal-appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. 7,8 Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during genital contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. However, receiving oral sex from a person with an oral HSV-1 infection can result in getting a genital HSV-1 infection. 4 Transmission commonly occurs from contact with an infected partner who does not have visible lesions and who may not know that he or she is infected. 7 In persons with asymptomatic HSV-2 infections, genital HSV shedding occurs on 10.2% of days, compared to 20.1% of days among those with symptomatic infections. 8