Dear Wondering,

I think that you are having some confusion between causes of the symptoms of herpes and the routes of contagion between two people. Herpes is always caused by the virus Herpes Simplex (HSV). There are two types of the herpes virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Although HSV-1 is the most frequent cause of oral herpes, and HSV-2 is the most frequent cause of genital herpes, both viruses can cause oral and genital infections with virtually identical symptoms.

The herpes virus enters the body through the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals and travels along the nerve endings to the base of the spine, where it remains by feeding off nutrients produced by the body cells. As such, the most common cause of herpes is direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has an active infection. It is possible, however, to spread the virus via the fingers (i.e., if someone touches an active sore and then touches a mucous membrane), manual stimulation and masturbation included. For this reason it is important not to touch active sores in your mouth or on your genitals, and, if you do, to wash your hands as soon as possible afterwards. In addition, though much less likely, transmission may occur from a person who has herpes with no sores presently active through the "shedding" of virus particles from the skin and "landing" on the mucous membranes of another person. Transmission of the virus on bed linen, clothing, towels, toilet seats, and in public spas is highly unlikely.

Alice

Related Q&As

Reducing herpes transmission risk with Valtrex

Possible herpes outbreak on shoulders and legs?

Herpes transmission from sharing soap?

Should I treat my toilet seat?

Herpes — Home remedies for symptoms?