How is mouth herpes spread

The virus is transmissible through skin-to-skin contact, and transmission can occur even when a person does not have any visible lesions.

Although it is rare that HSV-2 spreads through oral sex, the virus can be transmissible through the genital-oral route.

People with compromised immune systems have a higher risk of contracting the virus. This article will explain how HSV transmits from one person to another. It will also suggest some steps a person can take to reduce the risk of transmission. HSV-2 generally passes between hosts through vaginal or anal intercourse. It is less common for this infectious agent to transmit through oral sex. Herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV-1 is a different form of herpes that spreads more commonly through oral sexual contact than HSV-2, according to a review of studies.

HSV-2 is transmissible when areas of skin with the virus come into contact with mucous membranes. These are moist linings in certain parts of the body, including the vagina, anus, and mouth.

Because the mouth is an area lined with mucous membranes, HSV-2 can still spread through oral sex. Similarly, HSV-2 can pass from the mouth of a person who carries it to the genital area of another person as a result of giving oral sex. Skin-to-skin contact is necessary for the transmission of HSV It is not possible to acquire the virus from coming into contact with semen, touching toilet seats or other objects, or using hot tubs.

HSV-2 passes from one person to another when areas of skin containing the virus come into contact with mucous membranes in or open areas on the skin of people who do not have it. When the infectious agent is active, it travels to the mucous membranes or parts of the skin that already contain the virus and replicates itself.

This process is known as shedding. You can catch oral herpes by engaging in intimate or personal contact e. The initial primary infection of oral herpes is usually the worst. It may cause severe, flu-like symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes and headache.

However, some people have no symptoms at all. During the initial infection, sores can occur on and around the lips and throughout the mouth. Recurring infections tend to be much milder, and the sores usually erupt on the edges of the lips.

Some people never have any additional outbreaks beyond the initial infection. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of a recurring oral herpes simplex virus infection.

Painful, fluid-filled blisters may appear on the lips or under the nose. The blisters and fluid are highly contagious.

Sometimes, a sample of the sore is taken and sent to a laboratory for closer examination. Tests may include:. Your provider can prescribe medicines to fight the virus. This is called antiviral medicine. It can help reduce pain and make your symptoms go away sooner. Medicines used to treat mouth sores include:.

These medicines work best if you take them when you have warning signs of a mouth sore, before any blisters develop. If you get mouth sores frequently, you may need to take these medicines all the time. Herpes infection of the eye is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It causes scarring of the cornea. Do not have oral sex if you have oral herpes, especially if you have blisters. You can spread the virus to the genitals.

Both oral and genital herpes viruses can sometimes be spread, even when you do not have mouth sores or blisters. Habif TP. Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Hupp WS. Diseases of the mouth. Conn's Current Therapy A primary infection with oral herpes can be similar to a first episode of genital herpes in that symptoms can be more severe.

During the first episode, classic lesions tend to form as small fluid-filled blisters that can appear as a single blister or in a cluster. Sores may also appear inside the mouth or on the back of the throat, and the lymph nodes in the neck may swell. Like genital herpes, though, symptoms of oral herpes can be very mild and go unnoticed.

Subtle symptoms can be easily mistaken for another infection or condition such as a small crack or cut in the skin, chapped lips, bug bite, or a pimple, to name a few examples. At least a quarter of people with oral herpes experience recurrences. Again, as with the first episode, symptoms vary from person to person.

Lesions may appear as either a blister or a cluster of blisters or sores. It is possible that a recurrence will involve only the subtle symptoms described above. Signs and symptoms of a recurrent episode when they occur tend to last about 8 — 10 days on average. Blister- or sore-like lesions will usually crust over during the healing phase.