Genital Herpes Transmission: What Are the Odds?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus, which comes in two types — HSV-1 or HSV-2. Genital herpes causes outbreaks of genital sores that disappear in days or weeks. Many people who get genital herpes only have mild or no symptoms or only one outbreak. Others could have periodic or even regular outbreaks. Genital herpes is highly contagious, but transmission rates depend on many factors.

This article discusses how genital herpes is spread, the transmission risk, and how to reduce the rate of transmission.

How Is Genital Herpes Spread?

Genital herpes is spread by genital or oral sex with an infected person who might or might not have symptoms. This could include genital contact with:

• A genital or oral herpes sore
• Fluid from the genitals
• Saliva
• A finger that has touched the virus
• Sharing sex toys with someone who has the virus

Genital Herpes Transmission Risk by Gender

About 12% of people aged 14 to 49 in the United States (around 18 million) have genital herpes. The risk of genital herpes can differ depending on gender and sexual orientation.

The following are relevant findings pertaining to genital herpes transmission risk:

• Women are more likely to have genital herpes. This might be because it is easier for the virus to transmit from a man to a woman via penile-vaginal sex.
• About 16% of women aged 14 to 49 have genital herpes.
• For men aged 14 to 49, the rate of genital herpes is about 8%.
• The rate of genital herpes among men who have sex with men is about 16% to 28%, depending on ethnicity. Rates are higher among nonwhite men, and studies say this is likely because of less access to health care and higher poverty rates.
• Rates of herpes transmission were lower among gay women (about 2% to 7%) than among bisexual women (about 15% to 17%)

Symptomatic vs. Asymptomatic Transmission Risk 

Herpes can be transmitted with or without symptoms. For many people, the first outbreak can be mild or have no symptoms at all. About 88% of people aged 14 to 49 who have herpes have not been diagnosed.

Protection vs. No Protection Transmission Risk

A study found that condoms can reduce transmission by 96% from men to women and 65% from women to men. The same study found that among heterosexual couples who do not use condoms, there is a 5 to 10% chance that a person with herpes could transmit the disease to their partner within their first year together.

Experts advise that using condoms during sex (even when there are no herpes outbreaks) and not having sex during outbreaks can greatly reduce the risk of passing on herpes to a partner.

How to Reduce the Risk of Transmitting Genital Herpes

There are several ways to reduce genital herpes risk, including:

• Using a condom correctly and making sure it covers all infected areas during an outbreak
• Avoiding sex during an outbreak or if an outbreak seems to be approaching (like if a partner has symptoms such as discharge or itching)
• Not sharing sex toys without condoms or without washing them

Summary

Genital herpes is an STI transmitted by the herpes simplex virus via genital contact with an infected person who might or not have visible symptoms of the disease. Herpes can be transmitted via saliva, skin-to-skin contact, shared sex toys, and fingers that have the virus on them. It is recommended to get tested for genital herpes if there are symptoms or if a sexual partner has herpes.

Studies indicate condoms could greatly reduce the chances of transmitting herpes, especially if they cover all areas of an outbreak. Avoiding sharing sex toys and avoiding sex during outbreaks can also minimize the risk of transmitting genital herpes.

A Word From Verywell

Genital herpes transmission can be a worrying subject, especially considering that many people with the disease are not ever diagnosed. Talk to your partner about getting tested and staying safe. Being honest with partners and working with your healthcare provider to stay healthy, especially if you have a weak immune system, is another way to keep you and your partner safer in the future.