When the virus appears on the surface of the skin, it is called “shedding”, the virus is active, and this is when it is the most contagious to others through direct contact with the infected area. Sometimes it is actually hard to tell when it is shedding, because often there are no visible signs, or none that can be seen.

This is what is often referred to as asymptomatic shedding, and while you may see nothing, it can still be passed from person to person through contact like kissing and so on.

Believe it or not, everyone will have some type of herpes infection at one time or another. The most common type would be the one that appears on the face, usually near or in the mouth, and are what we would call a “cold sore.”

This is a form of Herpes Simplex, the most common form of viral infection. They are also referred to as fever blisters, but in spite of the name, they are one and the same. Some people mistakenly think that they have chapped lips or a bug bite on the face.

Some of the symptoms are easily recognized because they are quite visible, while other times the herpes virus may be confused with something else entirely. It can appear as a tiny sore often confused with a pimple, a red patch of skin, or it may even look like an ingrown hair. Some people think that they just have an irritated patch of skin, and do nothing about it.

Genital herpes can appear anywhere below the waist in certain areas. It will appear as a blister-like sore that will scab over before it begins to heal. It can be seen on the scrotum, the penis, in and around the vagina, or as an irritation near or on the anus. Some people think that they have hemorrhoids, when in fact, they have the herpes virus.

Vaginal itching may be noticed, and confused with a yeast infection. The virus is most contagious during these periods of shedding. An uninfected person has a 75% risk factor of contracting herpes from an infected sexual partner. That is why it is so important to wear a condom during sex if you know you are infected, and to always let your partner know that you have the herpes virus.

Once the herpes virus invades the immune system, it will appear to “hide” in the cells of the nerve roots in certain areas in the body. It may stay hidden for long periods, and then become active and begin to shed again. This often happens repeatedly throughout a person’s life. Once you have contracted the virus, you will never get rid of it. It is something that you will always have.

There are medications you can take to prevent an outbreak, but you will always have to be cautious about having a relationship or any sexual activity to avoid exposing someone to the virus. Taking proper precautions should protect them from infection.

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