How is genital herpes transmitted?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Skin-to-skin contact with the infected area - genital, anal, or oral contact - and the driver is asymptomatic shedding: the CDC notes the virus spreads even when no sore is visible, so most transmissions come from people who do not know they have it. Most infections are silent or mild enough to be mistaken for irritation. Toilet seats and towels are not routes - the virus survives poorly off skin. What works: no contact during outbreaks, daily suppressive antivirals, condoms (partial protection - shedding can occur outside the covered area), and honest disclosure.
What to do
- No contact during outbreaks. The highest-transmission window.
- Suppressive antivirals for discordant couples. Cuts shedding and transmission.
- Keep condoms as partial protection. They help; they do not cover all shedding skin.
- Test before assuming. Silent infection is the norm, not the exception.
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