Herpes is a disease caused by a virus named Herpes simplex virus (HSV), which, when contracted, causes outbreaks of small, painful blisters on different parts of a patient’s body. Nevertheless, it is an uncurable disease that remains asymptomatic for most of its period and is visible during the outbreak.
So, HSV can be distinguished as HSV-1 and HSV-2.
HSV-1 is associated with oral herpes, causing oral sores or blisters on patients’ lips, nose, and faces.
HSV-2 is associated with genital herpes. Patients with HSV-2 can spread the virus to other body parts through oral sex. Because of this, a cold sore can be caused by HSV-2, and a genital herpes outbreak can be caused by HSV-1.
Herpes is also a very common type of virus; around 50 to 80 percent of American adults have oral herpes (HSV-1), which causes cold sores or fever blisters in or around the mouth and nose area.
The problem is the method by which herpes spreads. Herpes can be spread from person to person even while coming into contact with the fluid through sexual and non-sexual means like touching or kissing.
First, know this: Key factors that can lead to the spread of herpes through non-sexual means
Although contact by sexual means poses a much greater chance of contracting herpes, it is essential to know that non-sexual transmission of herpes can also cause the spread of the virus.
The key factors that can lead to the spread of herpes are:
- Direct contact with infected skin
- Saliva Transfer
- Sharing personal items
So the million-dollar question is, Can You Get Herpes From Kissing?
The answer is yes. Kissing can spread the HSV-1 virus from infected people to non-infected ones. HSV-1 is responsible for oral herpes; kissing can cause oral herpes as it involves saliva exchange and skin-to-skin contact.
Kissing involves 2 out of the 3 factors listed above responsible for the spread of herpes.
Let’s find those in detail.
Factor No. 1: Kissing involves direct contact with infected skin.
Patients with HSV-1 during the outbreak has blisters or sores formed around the mouth of the person. The very act of kissing may involve direct or indirect contact with these blisters or sores to transfer the HSV-1 virus.
Factor No. 2: Kissing involves saliva exchange with infected skin.
The infected person without visible sores or blisters can spread HSV-1 in this manner. It is possible that the HSV-1 virus can be present in the saliva of the infected person, which, during the act of kissing, may pass on to the non-infected individual.
If you compare the above two factors (of infection), infection during an outbreak has a higher chance of spreading HSV-1. This is because during the outbreak, the virus replicates much faster, and thus its mode of transfer, which is the mucus (inside the sores or blisters), has a higher density of HSV-1 virus.
Chances of contracting HSV-1 (oral herpes) by kissing
Even though the chances of contracting HSV-1 vary as per factors such as the infected person’s shedding level, the duration of the kiss, and even the type of kiss.
An estimated 10–30% of people are likely to get HSV-1 from a single kissing contact with an individual who is actively shedding the virus (during an outbreak or asymptomatic shedding). It’s crucial to keep in mind that this is only an estimate.
Can HSV-2, which is genital herpes, be transmitted through kissing?
Yes, HSV-2, or the genital herpes virus, can live and potentially transmit through saliva, but it’s considered much less likely compared to HSV-1.
Also, the presence of the HSV-2 virus is preferably near the genitals and spreads most likely through skin-to-skin contact in that area, but kissing usually doesn’t involve skin-to-skin contact in that area.
How can HSV-2 (genital herpes) spread through kissing?
Even if there are no apparent sores, people with HSV-2 might spread the virus through their saliva. This shedding is less common than HSV-1, yet it still poses a risk. So the HSV-2 transmission through kissing involves the following:.
- Transmission occurs when the infected person’s saliva comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the non-infected person’s mouth or genitals.
- The chances of contraction increase if the infected individual has a visible outbreak (sores) on their mouth or genitals, which contain a higher concentration of the virus and when a healthy person comes in contact with the infected person.
- HSV-1 is more likely to spread through oral contact (such as kissing) compared to HSV-2.
Reducing the Risk of Transmission of Herpes
Herpes in any form (HSV-1 or HSV-2) is a non-curable disease, so avoiding it would be very difficult as it remains in the person’s body forever. You can avoid herpes transfer by practicing the following:.
Avoiding Contact During Outbreaks
It goes without saying that you should avoid any skin-to-skin, physical, or sexual contact with a person who has herpes.
- Avoid directly coming into contact: Avoid physical contact, including touching or kissing the person with herpes, etc. Touching the sores or exchanging saliva through kissing can transfer the herpes virus.
- Use barrier protection (for oral sex): Use a condom or dental dam to cover the genitalia to avoid sharing bodily fluids and thereby herpes during oral sex.
Dating with herpes
As previously stated, herpes is a non-curable disease, so avoiding it would be very difficult, and there are so many myths and stigmas surrounding herpes. The guilt or fear of spreading herpes, which can easily spread through kissing, is immense. To add to this, disclosing your herpes condition to your new prospect can induce fear and anxiety among people with herpes.
For these reasons, people with herpes find partners on dating sites. Herpes dating sites create a space where everyone already knows about the virus, thus eliminating the fear of rejection based solely on their condition. Herpes dating sites also reduce the awkwardness associated with herpes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in addition to sexual contact, herpes can spread through kissing, making saliva contact with the infected person, or even by touching a sore or blister with your mucous membrane, such as a lip, mouth, or wound.
Therefore, testing for herpes or any other STD is crucial during the early stages of a relationship, and it’s best to do so before engaging in sexual activity. Testing could reveal your STD status, including incurable STDs such as herpes, HIV, etc., and help you prevent its transmission to your partner or receive treatment before engaging in sexual activity.
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