A 47-year-old member asked:
Is it true that herpes simplex 1 contagious without an outbreak?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. James Goodpasteranswered
Dentistry 30 years experience
Yes, but less so: All those infected with either herpes simplex 1 or 2 (oral/genital) constantly shed the virus & can give it to someone without an active lesion. However, you are more likely to get it when there is an active lesion since there is a higher level of the virus being shed. Most people acquire hsv1 but rarely or never have sores. There are meds your md or dmd can give to reduce freuency & severity.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 49-year-old member asked:
Can you tell me docs, is herpes simplex 1 contagious when there's no outbreak?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A Verified Doctoranswered
21 years experience
Yes: Hsv 1 is transmitted from person-to-person by infected oral secretions from close contact. The risk of transmission is much higher when the patient is symptomatic. There is no seasonal variation impacting the transmission of hsv 1 and it occurs equally between the sexes.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 26, 2013
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