What Are the Causes of Herpes Simplex Virus?

Herpes is one of the most commonly contracted types of sexually transmitted disease, or STD. It is more common in women than in men, and according to the CDC, about forty-five million people over the age of twelve in the United States have experienced a herpes outbreak. The virus enters through small breaks in your skin, and it is most often transmitted sexually. There are several ways to transmit herpes, as well as several myths about how it spreads that persist despite being false.

"Cold Sore" Variety

• The type of herpes that causes cold sores on the mouth can be spread very easily. Oral herpes most often manifests as Herpes Simplex Virus 1 or HSV-1. Any type of contact with an infected person's mouth runs the risk of spreading the disease --even a kiss on the cheek or sharing the same washcloth could do it. Many people who have this type of herpes don't even realize what they've got, and they could spread the disease before getting their first mouth sore.

Intercourse/Outercourse

• Genital herpes is most often spread through sexual intercourse. Additionally, it can be spread through what's known as "outercourse," wherein genital areas are rubbed together without any actual penetration. Most varieties of genital herpes are known as Herpes Simplex Virus 2, or HSV-2. It can be spread even if the person with the disease is not having an outbreak. Unfortunately, this means that herpes is a disease that could potentially be hidden from a partner.

Auto-inoculation

• In very rare cases, herpes can be spread from a mouth sore to the genitals. If someone touches his mouth and then his genitals without washing his hands, it is possible for the virus to be spread to that area. Good hygiene is very important if an outbreak is suspected.

Oral Sex

• Herpes can be spread through mouth-to-genital contact. If one partner has a potential outbreak of HSV-1 on his or her mouth, it can cause a potential outbreak of the HSV-1 on the partner's genitals. The symptoms on the genitals may resemble HSV-2, but herpes cannot mutate in this way. The same can happen in reverse, with an HSV-2 infected partner spreading the HSV-2 strain to his partner through oral contact.

Myths and Rumors

• The herpes virus cannot survive for long outside the human body. Although urban legends perpetuate the rumor that you can catch herpes from using the same toilet as an infected person, it is highly improbable and unlikely you will contract it this way. Herpes cannot make you sterile, and it is still possible to have intercourse safely if you have the disease. Unfortunately, it is also true that a mother runs the risk of passing the virus to her newborn as it passes through the birth canal. The likelihood of this is increased if it is the mother's first outbreak.