How Are Herpes Transmitted and What Are the Early Signs?

There are eight kinds of herpesviruses that infect people, causing a variety of illnesses with a variety of symptoms. Sometimes an infected person displays no symptoms, doesn't know they've caught a herpesvirus and, unwittingly, passes it to others.

Herpes Simplex 1 and 2

• Herpes simplex 1 and 2, also known as HSV-1 and HSV-2, causes blisters and sores in and on the mouth (oral herpes) or on genitals and around the rectum (genital herpes). Symptoms can be mild or unnoticeable. Herpes simplex spreads during sexual contact and kissing.

Varicella Zoster Virus

• Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes noninfectious shingles and chickenpox. It is typically spread through coughing, sneezing and breathing in the virus, which gets into the air from lesions, which is why they are features of both illnesses.

Epstein-Barr Virus

• Epstein-Barr virus spreads through saliva. The only symptoms are those that seem like a mild cold, though some people develop infectious mononucleosis (also transmitted through saliva), swollen lymph glands, fever and sore throat.

Cytomegalovirus

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) spreads through transmission of body fluids. Symptoms are usually non-existent or mild and flu-like. CMV can be dangerous to infants and people with compromised immune systems.

Herpesvirus 6 and 7

• Herpesvirus 6 and 7, or HHV-6 and HHV-7, which are transmitted in saliva and blood, cause roseola infantum in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, producing very high fever and sometimes flu-like symptoms. HHV-6 is linked to chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

Herpesvirus 8

• Herpesvirus 8, or HHV-8, can be transmitted through intercourse, especially anal, or from mother to child. It can cause Kaposi sarcoma. Infected people typically experience no symptoms or get a mild form of Kaposi sarcoma.