Causes Of Herpes

Herpes results from infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It looks like scattered red spots on your skin and causes sores or blisters in or around the mouth or genitals, alongside other symptoms. Read on to learn more about the causes.

Causes

Herpes simplex spreads through close contact with an infected person, with the virus present in the skin and saliva.

Transmission is possible even when there are no visible symptoms, known as asymptomatic viral shedding. There are 2 types of HSV:

• Oral Herpes (HSV-1)

This affects the mouth or face and leads to cold sores. It spreads through contact with saliva (spit).

• Genital Herpes (HSV-2)

This is transmitted through sexual contact and causes sores on the skin around the genitals of an infected person.

When HSV is present on the skin, it can easily pass from one person to another through contact with the moist skin of the mouth and genitals, including the anus. The virus may also spread through contact with other areas of the skin and the eyes.

Infection can occur in the following ways such as:

• having vaginal or anal sex without using a protection, such as a condom

• sharing sex toys

• having any other oral or genital contact with a person who has herpes

The virus is most contagious between when symptoms first appear and before they heal. Less commonly, a person can transmit the virus when symptoms are not present. Also, a person cannot contract HSV by generally touching an object or a surface, such as a washbasin or a towel.

If a person with genital herpes has sores while giving birth, the virus can pass on to the baby.

Risk Factors

Anyone, regardless of age, can get Herpes simplex, but certain factors increase the risk, such as:

• Assigned female at birth

• Multiple sex partners

• Early initiation of sexual activity

• History of sexually transmitted infections

• Weakened immune system

• Lack of condom use during intercourse and dental dams for oral sex