Herpes virus infection, is it contagious?
Sep 02, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, whether herpes viruses are contagious depends on the virus type and the stage of the disease. Oral and genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus are usually contagious. The varicella-zoster virus is contagious during the chickenpox phase, but generally not during the shingles phase. To reduce the risk of herpes virus transmission, it is recommended to avoid direct contact with individuals during their contagious period.
Generally, whether herpes viruses are contagious depends on the virus type and the stage of the disease. Oral and genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) are typically contagious. Chickenpox caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is contagious, while the shingles phase usually is not. Detailed explanations are as follows:
When infected with herpes simplex virus, the virus is commonly present in the patient's vesicle fluid, saliva, and genital secretions. Healthy individuals may become infected through direct contact with these virus-containing substances or through indirect contact such as kissing, sharing eating utensils, or towels.
When varicella-zoster virus enters the shingles phase, the virus mainly lies dormant in the patient's nerve ganglia. During an outbreak, it typically presents as a band-like rash on one side of the body. At this stage, viral replication is limited and mainly confined to areas of nerve distribution. It generally does not spread to others through daily contact or respiratory droplets, and most healthy individuals need not overly worry about transmission through casual contact.
To reduce the risk of herpes virus transmission, it is recommended to avoid direct contact with patients during their contagious phase and not to share personal items such as towels, eating utensils, or razors. Maintaining clean and dry skin in daily life is also important, as skin damage can increase the risk of infection.
