{"id":8454,"date":"2023-03-21T20:01:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T20:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/?p=8454"},"modified":"2023-03-21T20:02:04","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T20:02:04","slug":"can-herpes-spread-through-kissing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Herpes Spread Through Kissing? What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can be transmitted through sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact, and even kissing. Many people wonder if herpes can spread through kissing, and the answer is yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <strong>Cedars Sinai Medical,<\/strong> oral herpes (HSV-1) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cedars-sinai.org\/blog\/much-know-herpes.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">can be transmitted by kissing, and it is possible to contract genital herpes this way,<\/a> although it is less common. A person can contract herpes as a result of skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus or coming into contact with their saliva. It is important to note that herpes can be transmitted even when there are no visible symptoms or sores present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Medical News Today<\/strong> also reports that the herpes simplex virus has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes, while HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes. However, both types can cause either oral or genital herpes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Herpes_Transmission\" title=\"Herpes Transmission\">Herpes Transmission<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Direct_Contact_Transmission\" title=\"Direct Contact Transmission\">Direct Contact Transmission<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Asymptomatic_Shedding\" title=\"Asymptomatic Shedding\">Asymptomatic Shedding<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Oral_Herpes\" title=\"Oral Herpes\">Oral Herpes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Symptoms_and_Causes\" title=\"Symptoms and Causes\">Symptoms and Causes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Prevention\" title=\"Prevention\">Prevention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Treatment\" title=\"Treatment\">Treatment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Kissing_and_Herpes_Transmission\" title=\"Kissing and Herpes Transmission\">Kissing and Herpes Transmission<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Risk_Factors\" title=\"Risk Factors\">Risk Factors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/can-herpes-spread-through-kissing\/#Precautions\" title=\"Precautions\">Precautions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Herpes_Transmission\"><\/span>Herpes Transmission<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Herpes is a viral infection that can be transmitted through various forms of contact. The most common way to contract herpes is through direct contact with an infected person&#8217;s skin or body fluids. This includes kissing, sexual contact, and sharing personal items such as towels or razors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/medical.mit.edu\/faqs\/herpes#faq--1341\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIT Medical reports these little known facts about herpes:<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>HSV-1 is spread through contact with saliva, including kissing and mouth-to-genital contact (oral sex). HSV-2 is usually transmitted by direct genital-to-genital or genital-to-anal contact. In the past, HSV-2 was responsible for most cases of genital herpes. However, recent research suggests that almost 80 percent of college students with genital herpes have HSV-1. Remember, a person with herpes doesn\u2019t need to have symptoms to spread the virus to someone else.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Direct_Contact_Transmission\"><\/span>Direct Contact Transmission<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Direct contact transmission occurs when an individual comes into contact with the herpes virus through skin-to-skin contact. This can occur through kissing, touching an infected area, or sexual contact. Herpes can be transmitted even when there are no visible symptoms, as the virus can be shed from the skin even when there are no sores present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HSV-1 is commonly transmitted through kissing or oral sex, while HSV-2 is usually transmitted through anal or vaginal intercourse. However, it is possible to contract either strain of the virus through any form of sexual contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Asymptomatic_Shedding\"><\/span>Asymptomatic Shedding<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Asymptomatic shedding occurs when the herpes virus is present on the skin, but there are no visible symptoms. This means that an individual can transmit the virus to others even when they are not experiencing an outbreak. Asymptomatic shedding is more common with HSV-2, but can occur with both strains of the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that while herpes can be transmitted through kissing, it is less likely to contract genital herpes this way. However, if an individual has oral herpes, they can still transmit the virus to their partner&#8217;s genitals through oral sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Oral_Herpes\"><\/span>Oral Herpes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Oral Herpes, also known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1), is a viral infection that affects the mouth, lips, and face. It is a highly contagious infection that spreads through close contact with an infected person. In this section, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of oral herpes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Symptoms_and_Causes\"><\/span>Symptoms and Causes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The symptoms of oral herpes include painful blisters or sores on or around the lips, mouth, and gums. These sores can cause discomfort, pain, and itching. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches. The virus can also cause cold sores or fever blisters. The virus can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, such as kissing or sharing utensils, towels, or razors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevention\"><\/span>Prevention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to prevent oral herpes is to avoid close contact with an infected person during an outbreak. Avoid kissing, sharing utensils, towels, or razors with an infected person. It is also important to maintain good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding touching the face. If you have oral herpes, avoid close contact with others during an outbreak, and avoid sharing personal items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment\"><\/span>Treatment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many in the medical field believe there is no cure for herpes; however, recents independent studies have reported cases where herpes has been cured. You can read about the studies <a href=\"https:\/\/mwebcalm.com\/6340\/6659\/34\/?subid=a03212023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/get.herpagreens.com\/text\/?aff_id=81694&amp;subid=a03212023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Antiviral medications can help to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. These medications are most effective when taken at the first sign of an outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over-the-counter creams and ointments can also help to relieve pain and itching. It is important to keep the affected area clean and dry, and to avoid touching the sores. If you have frequent outbreaks, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication to help prevent future outbreaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a list of <a href=\"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/natural-remedies-for-herpes\/\">our recommendations for herpes treatment read this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kissing_and_Herpes_Transmission\"><\/span>Kissing and Herpes Transmission<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is commonly associated with oral herpes or cold sores, while HSV-2 is commonly associated with genital herpes. Both types of herpes can be transmitted through kissing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Risk_Factors\"><\/span>Risk Factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The risk of transmitting herpes through kissing depends on several factors, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Whether the person with herpes has an active outbreak or not<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The type of herpes virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The location of the herpes outbreak<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The amount of virus present in the saliva<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that herpes can be transmitted even if there are no visible symptoms or sores present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Precautions\"><\/span>Precautions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While there is no guaranteed way to prevent the transmission of herpes through kissing, there are some precautions that can help reduce the risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid kissing someone who has an active herpes outbreak<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a barrier, such as a dental dam or condom, during oral sex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid sharing utensils, towels, or other personal items with someone who has herpes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections, including herpes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to remember that herpes is a common and manageable condition. With proper precautions and medical treatment, it is possible to reduce the risk of transmission and live a healthy, fulfilling life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can be transmitted through sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact, and even kissing. Many people wonder if herpes can spread through kissing, and the answer is yes. According to Cedars Sinai Medical, oral herpes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8457,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,29],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8454"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8454"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8459,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8454\/revisions\/8459"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyconcepts.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}