Is it possible to catch (genital) herpes just on its own? Or do you ONLY catch it from having s*x?

Question

Is it possible to catch (genital) herpes just on its own? Or do you ONLY catch it from having s*x?

Answer 1

ohhhh?? what is that anyways???

Answer 2

If you are EXTREMELY unlucky, and have just got a cold sore on your mouth for the very first time, and touch it then touch your genitals, you can auto-innoculate (pass the virus to your own genitals) because cold sores are herpes of the mouth, normally type hsv-1 which causes half of all genital herpes infections too.

You can also catch herpes as a technical virgin if you let a partner that has oral herpes give you oral s*x - even if they do not currently have a cold sore. I have come across a number of teenage girls who are still virgins that that has happened to - they thought oral s*x was ok. It doesn't mean their boyfriends had been up to anything either - 60% of high school kids have oral herpes, often caught from a parent kissing them.

Or, your partner could have herpes whitlow (herpes of the finger) and give it to you by touching you genitally. Herpes whitlow is not rare but not particularly common.

Or, you could have a partner with wrestlers herpes/mat herpes and have their infection (on an arm for example) come into contact with your genitals. 40% of college wrestlers have mat herpes. Herpes may prefer mucous membrane such as the mouth or genitals, but only because it can enter easily there. If there is a skin abrasion, as in wrestling, and there is skin to skin contact going on, again as in wrestling, it really isn't that hard to pass.

The thing all these have in common is that there has to be some form of contact with the genitals - though only in 30-50% of cases is that from actual intercourse. It is more common to get herpes through oral s*x these days than through intercourse.

Answer 3

genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-he...

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/stdherpe...

Answer 4

any kind of s*x would do it

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry about it.  100 years from now,  no one will know the difference.

Answer 6

It is an STD..............you need a partner

Answer 7

Its a virus, you can catch it if you have an open sore.  Like I know someone who was using exercise equipmt and had a sore on their leg and they caught it when they used that same bench.