Is herpes on the lips contagious? Venereologist explains if it is okay to kiss

Herpes, or “colds”, on the lips is a common enough phenomenon among people. The disease is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and is characterized by the appearance of a painful formation on the skin of the lips.

If you have ever had a “cold sore” on your lips, it will appear from time to time.

Herpes on the lips, as a rule, begins with itching, burning or tingling at the site of a future rash. Then bubbles appear, which after some time dry up, forming crusts. Accompanying symptoms of a “cold” on the lips can be swelling and enlargement of lymph nodes. More severe cases of herpes can also cause increased body temperature, lip pain, depression and insomnia.

Can herpes be contracted through kissing

Dermatologist, venereologist, sexologist

“The probability of contracting herpes on the lips through kissing is almost 100 percent.”

It is worth remembering that herpes is a highly contagious virus, that is very contagious. “Pick it up” it is possible in the period from the onset of the first symptoms (itching, redness, burning) and until the healing of the last ulcer.

Therefore, during the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is necessary to forget about kissing and all other types of contact.

Can be infected through utensils

In the case of herpes on the lips to infect a healthy person is very possible. The fact is that the virus is quite tenacious, it can be active outside the human body from a few minutes to a few hours.

Herpes simplex virus type one is sensitive to drying, high temperatures and antiseptics.

During the exacerbation of the disease, a person with a “cold” on the lips is recommended to use separate cutlery, plates and mugs.

Preventive measures

If you kiss with a partner who has manifestations of herpes on the lips, then be sure – the virus has also appeared in your body. Yes, there is a possibility that it will never manifest, but it will remain in your body forever.

That’s why the most important precaution is not to kiss your partner if he or she has a herpes relapse.

And what about sexual contact?

Do not forget about the herpes simplex virus type 2 – the one that appears on the genitals. His symptoms are exactly the same: redness, itching, burning of the skin in one area and the appearance of vesicles with serous contents. It is also highly contagious.

Herpes simplex virus – like type 2 – is completely incurable. Once in the body, it tends to the nerve ganglia (simply put, nerve nodes), which are reliably protected by myelin sheath – no drugs can pass through it. When the virus gets to this “safe place”, it begins to wait for its time.

This means that when your immunity is reduced – illness, fatigue, hypothermia – you will get the hated symptoms of herpes on the lips or genitals. It is at this point at the first signs it is necessary to start treatment: the virus along the nerve endings is rapidly released on the skin, very actively divides. Its task is to return to its “safe place” as much as possible.

If you start antiviral therapy in time, you can affect the division of the virus, as a result of which its number increases. Thanks to treatment, this process can be stopped.

This principle is the basis of herpes therapy: the death of a large number of cells of the virus, because their number directly affects the frequency of exacerbations. Therefore, it is very important at the first symptoms of the disease to seek help from a specialist, and not to engage in self-treatment.