There are a ton of misconceptions out there about how you can (and can’t) contract genital herpes. The truth is that genital herpes is a highly contagious condition. As a rule, it can NOT be transmitted from one person to another by the sharing of toilet seats, towels, drinking cups and so forth. Why? Because the herpes virus dies very quickly once the temperature drops or the moisture around the virus dries up.

An affected person can, in some instances, transmit the illness from one part of their body to another. This is called auto-inoculation. Auto-inoculation occurs when an infected individual touches an area that is shedding the virus and then touches, scratches or rubs another area of his/her body that is susceptible to infection. They can spread the virus with their hands or a moist towel that they’ve used to dry off one area of the body and use directly on another such as after a shower.

Here are a few more facts about gential herpes transmission that can help:

• The herpes simplex virus can be passed along when one person has the virus present on the skin or mucosa*. In order to transmit the virus, the infected person has to touch the uninfected person with an infected part of their body in an area on the uninfected’s body that can become infected.
• The herpees virus is generally present on the skin from the time prodrome begins and will remain there until the sores have completely healed and new skin is rebuilt in its wake.
• Using latex condoms every time you have sex, regardless of whether the virus is present or not, greatly reduces herpes transmission.
• Herpes is often transmitted by infected individuals who don’t know they’re infected. Perhaps, then, the best defense against infection (or transmitting it) is getting tested. When you know you’re infected (or if your loved one does), you can better manage the condition and prevent anyone else from becoming infected.

* Note: The plural of mucosa is mucosae. The mucosa are located at various points on the body such as the nostrils, lips, genital area and anus. They are so named because they release mucus, a thick and slippery liquid containing enzymes and immunoglobins.