Is oral herpes contagious to others?

In general, oral herpes can be transmitted to other people.

Oral herpes is a contagious disease that can spread through various routes, including direct contact transmission, indirect contact transmission, droplet transmission, sexual transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Kissing a patient or sharing tableware, cups, etc., can allow the virus to spread to others through saliva and blister fluid. Contact with items contaminated by the herpes lesions or blister fluid of an infected person, such as towels, toothbrushes, and eating utensils, may also lead to infection.

Towels, drinking cups, eating utensils, clothing, bedding, and other items contaminated by patients may all serve as transmission media for the virus. Infection may also occur indirectly through contact with contaminated water sources or through the use of unregulated, non-sterilized medical instruments. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, the virus can spread into the surrounding air via droplets. Oral herpes can also be transmitted through sexual contact, as herpes simplex virus can exist in lesions on both oral and genital areas, transmitting the virus to sexual partners.

The oral herpes virus is highly contagious. To prevent transmission, it is recommended to avoid close contact with individuals infected with herpes viruses, practice good personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, avoid using other people's personal items, engage in regular physical exercise to enhance immunity, and reduce the risk of viral infection. If symptoms of oral herpes appear, seek timely medical attention and follow the doctor's recommendations for treatment and isolation.