Table of contents:
- Various ways of transmission of herpes disease
- 1. Physical contact with a person who has herpes
- 2. Sexual intercourse and oral sex
- 3. Kissing and drooling
- 4. Childbirth normally
- 5. Using equipment contaminated with the herpes virus
Herpes is a contagious disease caused by infection with the herpes virus. The best known herpes virus is herpes simplex which is the cause of oral and genital herpes. However, there are actually eight herpes viruses that can infect and cause various health problems. Each of these viruses is transmitted in different ways. The following are the most common modes of transmission of herpes.
Various ways of transmission of herpes disease
Currently, skin herpes is the type of herpes disease that is the most common cases. Based on the virus that causes it, skin herpes is divided into four types, namely oral herpes, genital herpes, chicken pox, and shingles (shingles).
The main symptoms of skin herpes are a rash, resilience (blisters filled with fluid), skin lesions or sores that can be accompanied by itching and pain.
The first type is the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This type of herpes usually attacks the mouth and lips area. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection affects the genital area and anus of both men and women.
Meanwhile, both chickenpox and herpes zoster are caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus. Other herpes viruses can cause glandular fever (mononucleosis), blood cell and kidney infections, cytomegalovirus, and Kaposi's sarcoma cancer.
All herpes viruses can be passed from one person to another. However, the transmission of the cutaneous herpes virus is easier and faster than other herpes viruses. In general, the modes of transmission of the herpes virus can occur through:
1. Physical contact with a person who has herpes
Herpes virus transmission occurs when the virus passes from the body of an infected person to a healthy person. You can get herpes if you come in direct contact (skin to skin) with someone who has skin herpes disease.
According to the CDC, the most likely transmission of skin herpes occurs when:
- A skin rash has just appeared
- The rash turns bouncy, which is characterized by blistered skin and filled with fluid or pus
- The elastic dries up and turns into dry sores (sores).
However, the virus that causes skin herpes can also be transmitted since the patient is infected. Even if the rash or bumps on your skin haven't appeared or you don't feel sick at all, you can still transmit the herpes virus to healthy people through skin-to-skin contact.
2. Sexual intercourse and oral sex
Having sexual intercourse, namely penetration of sex (penis to vagina) with a partner who has herpes can contract the herpes simplex virus type 2.
Apart from penetration, oral or anal sex is also a cause of transmission of oral herpes and genital herpes. For genital herpes, transmission takes place when a healthy person receives oral sex from a person infected with oral herpes.
The risk of transmission will be even higher, especially if you have sex without a condom. Now, if you or your partner has herpes, don't use sex toys interchangeably.
In general, the herpes simplex virus cannot live on inanimate surfaces. However, sex toys that are still wet with sperm or vaginal fluids may be a medium for the virus to move to the partner.
3. Kissing and drooling
Herpes transmission can occur through touching the lips or kissing. Especially for the herpes virus type, the main mode of transmission is through direct contact with the mouth or from saliva.
The herpes virus is the cause of oral herpes (HSV-1) and mononucleosis fever (Eipstein-Barr virus). This is because the herpes virus is very easily transmitted through areas that are quite damp.
In addition, the saliva released when sneezing and coughing (droplets) by sufferers can also be a medium for varicella zoster transmission when initial symptoms appear. These early symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue.
The herpes virus can be transmitted when you breathe in air that is contaminated with these droplets.
4. Childbirth normally
Most of the herpes viruses have the possibility to be transmitted through the delivery process, such as Kaposi's sarcoma and cytomegalovirus. If a woman has the herpes virus in the vagina, she is at risk for passing the herpes virus to her baby during a normal delivery.
Cytomegalovirus, which is transmitted through normal delivery can cause congenital infectious diseases that can affect the development process of the child. Even so, this mode of transmission of herpes is rare.
However, there is nothing wrong with consulting your gynecologist to check for herpes. That way, you can prevent the possibility of transmitting herpes to the baby during childbirth later.
5. Using equipment contaminated with the herpes virus
This mode of transmission is not common for all herpes viruses, but you need to be aware of it.
Herpes simplex virus cannot live long on inanimate surfaces. Especially if the object is dry. However, the virus that causes oral herpes can be transmitted when you use the same lipstick or eating utensils with a sufferer.
Even so, the chances of you catching herpes through objects that have been used by a person with herpes simplex are very small.
Likewise with the herpes viruses that cause Kaposi's sarcoma or blood and kidney infections (HHV 6 and 7), all three are more commonly transmitted through body fluids such as blood, sperm, and vaginal fluids.
However, alternate use of cutlery with sufferers can still be a mode of transmission for the viruses that cause chickenpox, shingles and mononucleosis.
Well, transmission by wearing the same clothes as the sufferer may not be common. However, you should still avoid washing the clothes the sufferer has worn before using them.
There are several ways of transmitting herpes, but in general it is related to close contact with the sufferer. Therefore, make sure you avoid direct interaction with people who are infected with this disease.
